COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



passes on from generation to generation, and 

 thus there arise reciprocal necessities of beha- 

 viour between parents and children, husbands 

 and wives, brethren and sisters. In which recip- 

 rocal necessities of behaviour we have discerned 

 the requisite conditions for the genesis of those 

 ego - altruistic Impulses which, when further 

 modified by the expansion of the sympathetic 

 feelings, give birth to moral sentiments. Accord- 

 ingly the phenomenon which demands explana- 

 tion Is the existence of permanent relationships, 

 giving rise to reciprocal necessities of behaviour, 

 among a group of Individuals associated for the 

 performance of sexual and parental functions. 



The explanation, as I have shown. Is to be 

 found In that gradual prolongation of the period 

 of Infancy, which Is one of the consequences, as 

 yet but partially understood, of Increasing in- 

 telligence. Let us observe the causal connec- 

 tions so far as we can trace them out, recalling 

 some of the conclusions reached In the chapter 

 on the Evolution of Mind. 



In an animal whose relations with Its environ- 

 ment are very simple, resulting In an experience 

 which Is but slightly varied, the combinations 

 of acts requisite for supporting life take place 

 with a regularity and monotony approaching the 

 monotonous regularity with which the functions 

 of the viscera are performed. Hence the ten- 

 dency to perform these actions Is completely 



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