CHAPTER IX 



THE ORIGIN OF MORAL EVIL 



Volumes have been written on the origin of moral evil 

 and sin in man. Until the middle of the last century 

 the story of the fall as given in Genesis was supposed to 

 be historically true. Therefore, all the literature which 

 was based upon the theory of original sin is now out of 

 date and superfluous.^ The question at the present day 

 is — What has Evolution to say upon the subject ? 



It is simply this — We have seen how man's power of 

 realising an abstraction in his mind at once and entirely 

 separates him off from all the rest of the animal creation ; 

 in that consequently he alone can form some conception 

 of God. He is conscious of the power to choose, or 

 what is called free will. 



Then he finds out for himself, or is told by others 

 from their experience, that he will suffer if he does 

 certain things. Such is his first idea of a natural law : 

 but so far there is nothing moral or immoral about it ; 

 just as all animals are non-moral. 



But when a community or tribe is formed, it is soon 

 found that certain restrictions are necessary to be put 

 upon each individual. Then a moral law is framed ; 

 such as "Thou shalt do no murder," i.e., within the 

 community. Such may be enforced by penalties. 



^ I would strongly recommend to the reader Mr. F. R. Tennant's 

 book on The Origin and Propagation of Sin. 



(317) 



