en. vi.] THE ATTITUDE OF PHILOSOPHY. 501 



elsewhere shown, the amelioration of society and the relief 

 of man s estate depend. 



And these considerations as to the critical attitude of the 

 evolutionist with reference to theology will equally apply to 

 his critical attitude with reference to politics, concerning 

 which I need, therefore, add but few explanatory words. 

 Since it is the plain teaching of history that the group of 

 institutions making up the framework of society at any 

 given period cannot be violently altered without entailing 

 a partial disintegration of society; since any custom or 

 observance can be safely discontinued only when the com 

 munity has grown to the perception of its uselessness or 

 absurdity ; and, above all, eince the integrity of society 

 depends in an ultimate analysis, not upon its institutions 

 (which may be as liberal in Mexico as in Massachusetts), 

 but upon the integrity of its individual members ; it follows 

 that the evolutionist will look askance at the panaceas of 

 radical world-menders, refusing to believe that the mil 

 lennium can be coaxed or cheated into existence until men 

 have learned, one and all, each for himself, to live rightly. 

 The only Utopian ideal which he can consistently cherish, 

 is that of contributing his individual share of effort to the 

 improvement of mankind by leading an upright life, and 

 applying the principles of common -sense and of the highest 

 ethics within his ken to whatever political and social 

 questions may directly concern him as member of a pro 

 gressive community. 



When, therefore, we are asked how we shall seek to incar 

 nate in fact our ethical and social ideal, the reply is : we 

 must seek to realize this ideal, in so far as our frail half- 

 developed natures will allow, by leading pure and upright 

 lives, repressing the selfish impulses which are our legacy 

 from the brute, obeying the dictates of sympathy whereby 

 we are chiefly distinguished as hnm.in, and conforming a3 

 well as we may to the highest ethical code within our ken. 



