A WAIF AND ITS ADOPTION 



categorical imperative for the individual to con- 

 trol reactionary impulses and keep his acts in 

 line with the social evolution of his class and 

 the cosmic evolution of his race. Whoever acts 

 in accord with these, acts virtuously. This is 

 a universal standard easily intelligible to every 

 one, for a moderate observation of our bodily 

 and mental condition will quickly reveal, whether 

 we are acting against our physical and intellec- 

 tual evolution, and the class-struggle continually 

 reminds us of the right course of our class, which 

 leads to the reconciliation of our class interests 

 with the general evolution of humanity as a 

 whole. But the first requirement for such an 

 understanding is the rebellion against metaphys- 

 ical dualism. It is a complete breach with Kant's 

 philosophy, not a return to it. 



There is little consolation for our Neo-Kantian 

 exhorters in this reply, but it is the truth. Kant 

 accomplished enough for the historical conditions 

 of his time, and his work in cosmogeny will be 

 an everlasting credit to his name. But when we 

 are told that the modern proletariat must go back 

 to him for its philosophy, we smile as we would 

 if we were told that the butterfly must go back 

 into its chrysalis. 



So far as ethics are concerned, this answer 



163 



