I08 PESSIMISM. 



The evidence of Pejorisfn, i.e., of the fact that the 

 world has been growing more unhappy, must of 

 necessity be historical, and as our knowledge of 

 history is imperfect, it cannot in itself be conclusive. 

 But in connection with the facts which have been 

 mentioned, it becomes highly significant testimony 

 to Pessimism. 



This testimony may be considered with a view to 

 its bearing upon the physical, material, social and 

 psychological effects of " progress " upon the happi- 

 ness of mankind. 



§ 1 2. In estimating the effect of physical changes 

 In the organism upon happiness, it is essential to 

 bear in mind the fact that the physical functions of 

 life are largely, and probably increasingly, performed 

 tcnconsciously, and only enter into consciousness as 

 pain, when out of order. Hence all the improve- 

 ments in the conditions of life which merely secure 

 the carrying on of the physical functions are useless 

 for the production o( positive happiness. Our ordin- 

 ary life is none the happier because it is securer 

 against violent interruption of its functions, because 

 we are less liable to be butchered or burnt. The 

 proper functioning of our organism is doubtless a 

 primary condition of positive happiness, but does 

 not in itself constitute any considerable factor in it. 

 Hence by far the larger part of the increased 

 security and protection of life is of no avail for the 

 production of pleasurable feeling, and its effect would, 

 on the whole, probably be more than counterbalanced 

 by the diminution of happiness arising out of the 

 non - elimination of diseased and unfit organisms 

 which in former times could not have survived to 

 suffer much. 



Secondly, the pleasures arising from the bodily 



