ALTRUISM 267 



soon disappear. In a social community the good of 

 the individual is often opposed to the good of the 

 race. Beyond doubt it would frequently be for the 

 good of the individual to appropriate to himself 

 property that belongs to his neighbor. But it is not 

 good for society that such actions be allowed, since it 

 is only by mutual trust that society holds together. 

 No logic can convince me that I should be in want 

 and my neighbor in affluence. Hence laws are neces- 

 sary to prevent theft. But while these laws are 

 logical enough in their relation to society, they are 

 not always logical as they relate to the need of the 

 individuals. They are obeyed, sometimes, indeed, 

 through fear, but commonly from some other motive. 

 In the following lines of action which lead toward 

 unity each individual is actuated by impulses quite 

 foreign to his intelligence. He follows his ethical 

 instincts. 



Social Evolution Founded upon Ethics 



By this time it is clear where we must look to find 

 the force which has been at the foundation of the 

 organization which has resulted in civilization. 

 Neither the laws which have developed the animal 

 kingdom, nor that attribute of man which has been 

 regarded as his most distinct characteristic lead 

 toward organization. The law of struggle and intel- 

 ligent actions are both disintegrating in their ten- 

 dency, and neither can be regarded as the basis of 

 social evolution. It becomes evident, therefore, that 

 we must find the uniting force which has been at the 

 basis of organization in the ethical nature. Altru- 

 ism, the principle that gives man sympathy with his 

 neighbor, that urges him to yield some of his inter- 



