CHAPTEE VI. 



THE SUKVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. 



As regards our other consideration at present, it is pretty 

 evident that if struggle there is none, survival, in that it 

 simply means result of foregone contest, can be, and must 

 be, so far, only a dead letter. Nay, in fact between the 

 two ideas, supposing each to be accepted, there is a direct 

 and point-blank antagonism. The one is pessimistic, 

 and points only to the existence of evil, strife ; while the 

 other is optimistic, and proclaims the triumph of the 

 good. Detur digniori ! If here below it is always the 

 fittest survives, then the problem of problems is solved, 

 the question of questions is answered : This world, even 

 as it is, is a providential world. There is a good God 

 over it ; absolute justice reigns ; it is the fittest is 

 rewarded ! Where, then, the litany of woes for which 

 another world is to bestow the recompense ? 



But, just squarely to say it, the proposition itself, 

 survival of the fittest, is, as things are, preposterousness 

 proper. It is simply absurdity's self the absolutely false. 

 The fact and we have abundantly seen it the fact that 

 contingency reigns, that the category of the external 

 cosmos is contingency that fact, singly and solely, is 

 the all-sufficient proof, the inexorable demonstration. / 

 returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the 

 swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to t/u> 



