258 UNIVERSAL EVOLUTION 



in correlation with the natural forces in the environ- 

 ment, then all the effects, or results, of that reason are 

 really evolved from these physical correlations. In other 

 words, all social conditions throughout the world are 

 evolved through the brains of men by natural forces, 

 whose requirements cannot be ignored, by any assumed 

 independent action on the part of men. In this view, 

 which seems to be the correct one, man really exercises 

 no "free will" in social, the same as he does not, in in- 

 dividual affairs. Every effort, and every function is 

 bounded by the limitation of the human brain. 



While the aggregation of men in society gives them 

 power in the direction of defense, preservation of life, 

 and the perpetuity of the race, yet, it must be borne in 

 mind, that except indirectly, in the establishments of 

 educational institutions, it does not increase the power 

 of the intellect, to penetrate further into the flow of 

 existence the reality of things. But men are learning 

 now that better civilization means a better conception 

 of social science, and that comes only with a better con- 

 ception of all science. 



The fact is well known, that ever since the beginning 

 of historical time, society has been advancing in the 

 forms and essentials of its civilization, only as it dis- 

 carded delusion, and adopted the truths of natural 

 science. This advance is not in a direct line, but as all 

 progress is made, rhythmically, in periodical ups and 

 downs. Today, the conditions are almost infinitely bet- 

 ter than they were in the dark ages, when the densest 

 superstitions ruled men, and authority was in the full 

 control of men's ideas; very much better than two 

 hundred years ago, when witchcraft and slavery were 

 quite universal; and when the death penalty was at- 

 tached to a large number of simple misdemeanors, and 

 debtors were imprisoned in filthy jails. 



