x ARISTOCRA C Y AND E VOL UT1ON 



PAGE 



Now, if we consider all these conclusions of Mr. Spencer's, . . 39 



we shall find them to be all conclusions about aggregates as wholes, 



not about parts of aggregates .... 39 



The only differences recognised by him between men are differences 



between one homogeneous aggregate and another, . . 40 



and differences between similar men who happen to be occupied 



differently ........ 41 



But, as has already been said, the social problems of to-day arise out 

 of a conflict between different parts of the same aggregate ; 

 therefore the phenomena of the aggregate as a whole do not 

 help us . . . . . . .42 



The conflict between the parts of the aggregate arises from inequalities 



of position ........ 43 



of which Mr. Spencer's sociology takes no account ... 44 



Social problems arise out of the desire of those whose positions are 



inferior to have their positions changed ; . . . .45 



and the practical question is, is the change they desire possible ? . 45 



To answer this question we must examine into the causes why such arid 



such individuals are in inferior, and others in superior positions . 46 



Are inequalities in position due to alterable and accidental circum- 

 stances? ........ 47 



Or are they due to congenital inequalities which no one can ever do 



away with ? ..... . . 47 



Social inequalities are partly due to circumstances ; . . .48 



but most people will admit that congenital inequalities in talent have 



much to do with them ...... 48 



Why then insist on this fact ? . . . . . .49 



Because this fact is precisely what our contemporary sociologists ignore, 49 



as Mr. Spencer shows us by his distinct admissions and assertions, as 



well as by the character of his conclusions ... 50 



His condemnation of the great-man theory is a removal of all con- 

 genital inequalities from his field of study ; . . .51 



and he actually defines an aggregate as being composed of approxi- 

 mately equal units . . . . . . .52 



His failure and that of others, as practical sociologists, arises from 



their building on this false hypothesis 53 



