I.] 



ADMINISTRATIVE NIHILISM. 



23 



determinate practical principles; and thus society, which is originated 

 by a sort of pathological compulsion, becomes metamorphosed into a 

 moral unity.'"' (Loc. cit. p. 147.) 



" All the culture and art which adorn humanity, the most refined 

 social order, are produced by that unsociability which is compelled by 

 its own existence to discipline itself, and so by enforced art to bring 

 the seeds implanted by nature into full flower." (Loc. cit. p. 148.) 



Ill these passages, as in others of this remarkable tract, 

 Kant anticipates the application of the "struggle for 

 existence " to politics, and indicates the manner in which 

 the evolution of society has resulted from the constant 

 attempt of individuals to strain its bonds. If indivi- 

 duality has no play, society does not advance ; if indi- 

 vid uality breaks out of all bounds, society perishes. 



But when men living in society once become aware/ 

 that their welfare depends upon two opposing tendencies ( 

 of equal importance the one restraining, the other 

 encouraging, individual freedom the question "What 

 are the functions of Government?" is translated into 

 another namely, What ought we men, in our corporate 

 capacity, to do, not only in the way of restraining that 

 free individuality which is inconsistent with the existence 

 of society, but in encouraging that free individuality 

 which is essential to the evolution of the social organiza- 

 tion ? The formula which truly defines the function of 

 Government must contain the solution of both the 

 problems involved, and not merely of one of them. 



Locke has furnished us with such a formula, in the 

 noblest, and at the same time briefest, statement of the 

 purpose of Government known to me : 



/I " THE END OF GOVERNMENT is THE GOOD OF 



MANKIND." 1 



But the good of mankind is not a something which is 

 absolute and fixed for all men, whatever their capacities 



1 ; * Of Civil Government/' 229. 







