Evolution of Society. 215 



When we were engaged in considering planetary evolu- 

 tion, we found that the planets were located and swung in 

 their orbits by the combination of two balanced opposing 

 forces, one centripetal, the other centrifugal. Out of these 

 opposing forces not only have the harmonies we have ob- 

 served in the heavens grown, but eventually, in some sense, 

 our own being and those elements and forces that are con- 

 cerned in and control social action. An excess of either 

 centripetal or centrifugal force in the planetary system 

 would destroy harmony, and bring, or inaugurate, ruin. 



Similarly, societary harmony grows out of balanced ego- 

 istic and altruistic moral forces ; and want of harmony grows 

 out of an unbalanced relation of these forces. 



Status, then, being practically founded upon natural af- 

 fection, the family state was a strong state, and built up 

 and maintained a strong form of society, so long as these 

 two forces permeated the State in balanced relations. But, 

 as population increased, the family was found to be incapa- 

 ble of taking all individuals into its relations. Therefore 

 the tribe was formed, on the family plan or principle, but 

 extended, with simulated fathers, not actual fathers gov- 

 erned by natural affection, at its head. After the tribe came 

 the curia, and then the city, formed on a similar plan, but 

 the fathers at the head of each being at each stage so much 

 further removed from the natural father and his balanced 

 egoism and altruism. 



A society so constructed was sure to break down eventu- 

 ally, because the natural altruistic or sympathetic force 

 could not extend indefinitely, or much beyond the reach of 

 the natural father, — whereupon the necessary balance of 

 order would be destroyed, and injustice must prevail, with 

 societary disorder and ruin certain to follow. And that 

 was exactly what occurred in States so organized. Status 

 Society broke down, and a mere makeshift — Contract So- 

 ciety — took its place and has since held it, among so-called 

 Christian nations. 



But Evolution teaches that Contract Society is not the 

 final and perfect society, and that it is, through the defects 

 of the human understanding, in a sense the real cause of 

 our present society troubles. Contract Society is the result 

 of a laudable attempt to find, by the aid of the trammeled 

 human understanding and imperfect discussion, a ruler for 

 the world who would and could conduct its affairs on family 



