THE EVOLUTION OF MORAL CODES 75 



it is toward the race as a whole rather than the indi- 

 vidual that natural selection is directed. In speaking 

 of this as a new line of thought we do not mean to 

 imply that the conception is actually new. It was 

 recognized by both Spencer and Darwin long ago. 

 But though long ago recognized, its great signifi- 

 cance has not been commonly appreciated. We have 

 been so occupied with the idea of the individual's 

 struggle for his own life that the other side of the 

 problem, with its numerous and far-reaching conse- 

 quences, has been too generally neglected. Clear 

 thought shows us, however, that natural selection 

 must be always directed toward the survival of the 

 race rather than the individual. Natural selection, 

 it is true, preserves the best fitted individuals, but 

 only when they are the individuals best fitted for the 

 preservation of the race. Nature is sure to eliminate 

 those that are incapable of reproduction no matter 

 how excellently fitted they may be for the personal 

 struggle for life, while it preserves those best able to 

 perpetuate the race, even though the individuals be 

 poorly adapted to the struggle for life. The former 

 may preserve its own life longer, but if it cannot 

 produce offspring, it eventually disappears. This 

 important fact, which quite changes the aspect of 

 natural selection in many points, has only recently 

 been brought into prominence. It has been discussed 

 by Brooks as a '^ struggle for the life of the species,'* 

 and by Drummond as the '^struggle for the life of 

 others." In certain aspects it is altruism, and in 

 some respects it is independent of and opposed to 

 the struggle for existence. 



As the result of this law the individual may be- 

 come of no significance and will be, if necessary, 



