CHAPTER V 

 THE BEGINNINGS OF SOCIAL EVOLUTION 



The Significance of Social. Organization 



'Tis not bones, muscles, nor even brain, but so- 

 ciety that makes the man. 



The physical difference between man and his clos- 

 est allies is comparatively slight. The mental dif- 

 ference is greater; for while there may be found 

 numerous links connecting the mental powers of 

 animals with the mental powers of man, there is a 

 sharper line of demarcation between man and 

 animals mentally than physically. But, after all, 

 that which really separates man from animals is 

 neither physical structure nor mental powers. 

 Mental powers are, indeed, of the utmost impor- 

 tance, for without them mankind could have never 

 developed a civilization and could not have played 

 any greater part in the world's history than animals. 

 But without civilization, without organized society, 

 his intelligence could never have accomplished 

 much more than that of the animal. Perhaps this 

 may be best realized if we try to compare that which 

 can be accomplished by an exceptionally intelligent 

 savage with that which is within the power of a 

 monarch ruling over a civilized nation. The one 

 can accomplish little or nothing of lasting moment. 

 His only power is that of controlling the actions of 

 a handful of savage warriors. After his death his 

 influence ceases, his life having had hardly more 

 influence than that of the buffalo that he has killed. 



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