Sketch of an Organismal Theory of Comcwnsnesi 333 



group would have to be considered. Sueli a treatment would 

 be highly instructive but s})ace limitations forbid us going to 

 such length. We must restrict ourselves to a few of the 

 more pronouncedly individualistic behaviors and must treat 

 even these in a very sketchy fashion. To Ik' remarked at 

 the outset is the fact that every nicnilHr of the group is 

 deeply loyal to America and to the cause of the Allies. On 

 the very door-sill of the examination we recognize two well- 

 differentiated aspects to each i)erson's action-sy.^tem, namely 

 an aspect of connnonality for nearly all members of the 

 group ; and an aspect of very pronounced differentiality for 

 many of them. 



Behaviors-in-common will receive attention first. In the 

 uniform growth, from the very beginning of the struggle in 

 August, 1914, of belief in the general rightness of the cause 

 of the Entente; of realization of the meaning of the strufrtrlc; 

 and of sentiments and resolutions of devotion to the foreimi 

 nations with which our nation is finally joined, these experi- 

 ences have been very much at one. To be sure this connnon- 

 ness has fallen far short of identitv. But as to essentials 

 resemblance has been far greater than difference. For ex- 

 ample every adult has accepted unhesitatingly his and her 

 obligations to the Red Cross; to the appeals for aid from 

 Belgium, France, and the other despoiled countries; to the 

 increasing cost of living; to the buying of Government 

 Bonds ; and to the appeals and regulations of the Food Ad- 

 ministration. Naturally there has been difference in the 

 particular way and extent of response of each in these mat- 

 ters ; but in essence there has been nothing differential. 



We turn now to behavior-not-in-connnon : behavior, that 

 is, which has differentiated the members i)ersonally with 

 great sharpness. This examination is mucli more important 

 for the subject in hand. The reference here is to each one's 

 "bit" as the common phrase had it when our country was 

 first enterinjr the conflict. The "war work" (as the exprcs- 



