NEO-DARWINIAN SOCIOLOGISTS 89 



Let us examine the facts as taught in biology and contrast them 

 with the interpretation given by the author under consideration. 

 According to Darwin biological evolution has resulted from in- 

 crease of numbers beyond means of subsistence, struggle for exist- 

 ence and the survival of those best adapted to the conditions of 

 life. According to Weismann the struggle is not so much be- 

 tween individuals as between species and variations may con- 

 ceivably be preserved which would prove disadvantageous to the 

 individual if he had to carry on the struggle independently, but 

 which are advantageous to the group in competition with nature 

 or with other groups. 1 Now under static conditions the curve 

 showing the " norm " or " type " represents those on the whole 

 best adapted for survival, but under dynamic conditions, espe- 

 cially in the physical environment, some individuals varying 

 from the norm will have the advantage and survive, thus per- 

 manently modifying the species. Shortness of life in the 

 individual, according to Weismann in the essay quoted, may be 

 considered favorable to a species in a dynamic environment 

 calling for frequent modifications of the " type " in order that 

 the species may persist. The species living under such conditions 

 that evolves an inner principle which causes death when the 

 individual has ceased to be of service to the group, has an advan- 

 tage in competition with other groups or species where certain 

 individuals live on as a burden to others. Brevity of life for the 

 individual, then, may be of value to the species, though in general 

 brevity of life is considered disadvantageous. Now " species " 

 is a generic term and includes past, present and future. Having 

 seen that a variation may be of advantage to the species though 

 possibly disadvantageous to the individual, it is but a step to say 

 that as the great bulk of those who comprise the species and who 

 are to receive the benefit of this variation are yet unborn, there- 

 fore the benefits of the variation are " projected " into the future. 

 We thus have " projected efficiency." 



Mr. Kidd's chief error is in conceiving that a quality can be of 

 advantage to the species which is not at the same time of advan- 

 tage to the great majority of individuals that compose it at any 



1 Recognized by Darwin, but not emphasized. 



