en. VI.] THE ATTITUDE OF PHILOSOPEY. 501 



elsewhere shown, the amelioration of society and the relief 

 of man's estate depend. 



And these considerations as to the critical attitude of the 

 evolutionist wnth reference to theology will equally apply to 

 his critical attitude with reference to politics, concerning 

 which I need, therefore, add but few explanatory words. 

 Since it is the plain teaching of history that the group of 

 institutions making up the frainework of society at any 

 given period cannot be violently altered without entailing 

 a partial disintegration of society; since any custom or 

 observance can be safely discontinued only when the com- 

 munity has grown to the perception of its uselessness or 

 absurdity ; and, above all, since the integrity of society 

 depends in an ultimate analysis, not upon its institutions 

 (which may be as liberal in Mexico as in Massachusetts), 

 but upon the integrity of its individual members ; it follows 

 that the evolutionist will look askance at the panaceas of 

 radical world-menders, refusing to believe that the mil- 

 lennium can be coaxed or cheated into existence until men 

 have learned, one and all, each for himself, to live rightly, 

 The only Utopian ideal which he can consistently cherish, 

 is that of contributing his individual share of effort to the 

 improvement of mankind by leading an upright life, and 

 applying the principles of common-sense and of the highest 

 ethics within his ken to whatever political and social 

 questions may directly concern him as member of a pro- 

 gressive community. 



When, therefore, we are asked how we shall seek to incar- 

 nate m fact our ethical and social ideal, tlie reply is : we 

 must seek to realize this ideal, in so far as our frail half- 

 developed natures will allow, by leading pure and upright 

 lives, repressing the selfish impulses which are our legacy 

 from the brute, obeying the dictates of sympathy whereby 

 we are chiefly distinguished as humnn, and conforming as 

 well aa we may to the highest ethical code within our ken. 



