PREFACE 



THE historical sketch and criticism here attempted 

 had its proximate origin in two consecutive years' 

 work with a senior class of sociology at Lancashire 

 College. In 1896-97 essays were prescribed on 

 topics suggested by Mr. Benjamin Kidd's Social 

 Evolution; while the seniors of 1897-98 attended 

 lectures covering rather more ground. The mate- 

 rial thus collected has been again revised and again 

 considerably added to. The literature of the sub- 

 ject is always growing. Some books of consequence, 

 old or new, must have been overlooked. Still, it is 

 hoped that the subject itself has well-defined limits. 

 The appeal to biology, outlined by Comte, newly 

 defined and emphasised by Darwinism, has now 

 been stated in the most extreme form logically 

 possible. Mr. Kidd's book holds that significant 

 position. 



In studying the questions raised, the author has 

 found himself, though with certain grave reserves, 

 more and more thrown back upon philosophical 

 principles learned at Glasgow, above twenty years 

 ago, from the present Master of Balliol College. 



