120 SOCIAL HEREDITY AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION 



basis for the development of the moral sense, varia- 

 tions which have constantly produced individuals 

 standing ahead of the average of the race. 



Here more than anywhere does it become evident 

 that the elimination of the unfit does not satisfac- 

 torily explain the origin of the fit ; the elimination of 

 lower grades of moral sense does not explain the 

 origin of the higher. The lower grades have not 

 been exterminated, but the higher have developed 

 just the same. If it is necessary anywhere to find 

 some forces to explain the origin of variation, which 

 shall act prior to selection, even more necessary 

 is it here to find something, to explain why mankind 

 ever developed these successively higher grades of 

 moral sense which could be subjected to the law of 

 elimination. Throughout animals this principle of 

 self-subordination, except in connection with repro- 

 duction, is hardly apparent and never becomes a 

 factor in animal evolution. From the beginning of 

 human history it is the central factor which has 

 controlled the evolution of civilization, and has been 

 directed not simply to reproduction but to a greater 

 part of human affairs. Certainly, we cannot rest 

 satisfied with an explanation which simply shows 

 that the moral sense has developed by successive 

 stages. The study of the development of the moral 

 sense unquestionably throws much light on human 

 history, but it hardly satisfies us as to the origin of 

 the different grades of the moral sense which have 

 been subject to the selection law. 



To meet this point it is necessary to insist that the 

 nature of man is such that variations along this 

 line of increased love, sympathy, and self-sacrifice, 

 of altruism, are constantly appearing. This would, 



