IMPULSE TO COMBAT 661 



human conduct. Men of superior intelligence, from early 

 historical times down to the present, have stressed the 

 enrichment of life through the practice of those traits 

 which we associate with the highest and most unselfish 

 standards. Human progress along these lines depends 

 upon the effectiveness with which high ideals can be 

 caused to prevail among men. This is to be attained 

 by a concerted effort on the part of those individuals 

 who are sufl&ciently intelligent to perceive the hindrance 

 offered to achievement by low ideals, and to drive home 

 to their fellow-men the duty of living up to the highest 

 standards. It is necessary, therefore, to discover what 

 ideals lead to progressive achievement and then to include 

 this knowledge in the education of everyone, but particu- 

 larly of those destined by high ability to be leaders of 

 their fellow-men. 



The Impulse to Combat. — A fact of fundamental bio- 

 logical importance, and one which has been emphasized 

 repeatedly in previous sections, is that organisms come 

 into competition in attempting to obtain food supplies, 

 in making themselves secure, or in perpetuating the race. 

 This competition frequently leads to direct combat. And 

 just as hunger is a powerful impulse to the taking of food, 

 and its effectiveness is reinforced by the enjoyment 

 afforded by eating, so there is an impulse to combat 

 which is attended by feelings of enjoyment or satisfaction 

 whereby the combat impulse is reinforced. It is clear 

 that the thrill which attends strife is a very real bio- 

 logical phenomenon, applying to man as well as to other 

 animals, and must be taken into account, therefore, as 

 a factor to be reckoned with in human progress. The 

 recognition of the fundamental character of the impulse 

 to combat has led in some instances to the expression 

 of the view that strife among human beings is not only 

 desirable but biologically necessary. This argument has 

 been advanced as a justification for war, although proba- 

 bly not many will be found at the present time who are 



