ASSOCIATION 107 



the comparative security it afforded, is directly responsi- 

 ble for the preservation and perpetuation of such charac- 

 ters as toleration, sympathy, and compassion, among 

 the highest human qualities. Besides the preservation 

 of individuals possessing these eminently desirable qual- 

 ities, life in societies assured the appearance of pro- 

 gressive variations along the same line. This was 

 secured by virtue of the fact that more numerous off- 

 spring means an increased chance for the appearance of 

 a new germinal variation. With many progeny surviv- 

 ing, it is reasonably certain that some individuals will 

 have innate capacities superior to those generally pos- 

 sessed by the former generation. In this way, associa- 

 tion tended to cumulate biological gains. 



In group life the gain of one member through imitation 

 became the gain of the group. A new way to perform 

 some old function, greater dexterity attained by one, a 

 surer method for securing food, were gains quickly imi- 

 tated by other members of the group. In this manner 

 all received benefit from the discovery of one. Partici- 

 pation in the common cause, sharing in the general bene- 

 fit, operated to modify the more plastic individuals and 

 developed sympathy and toleration. Imitation of those 

 who were of a naturally sympathetic and reasonable dis- 

 position tended to repress excessive cruelty and intoler- 

 ance and gave that unity and coherence which made co- 

 operation both practicable and successful. In this way 

 the social process cumulated gains and group experi- 

 ence came to be more ordered and varied. 



Combined action in hunting, fishing, and defense, ex- 

 ercised a constant discipline over antipathies and sym- 

 pathies, over powers of discrimination and coordination. 

 Adaptabilities were consciously trained by cooperation. 



