66 The Biological Errors 



viewers should advance such wild arguments 

 . . . and should bring up the old exploded doctrine 

 of definite analogies. . . ."^ 



In this case Spencer has not exactly forgotten 

 the existence of the universe but he has disregarded 

 one of the most widespread facts which can be 

 observed in it, — that living beings exist in it in 

 relationships of a most extraordinary complexity, 

 ranging from the most irreducible antagonism 

 to the most absolute solidarity. To jump from 

 the conclusion that since certain relations are 

 established between animals of different species, 

 the same relations ought to be found without any 

 modification whatsoever between societies of the 

 human race, is to make an assumption which is 

 not supported by science or reason. Spencer makes 

 two chief conclusions which render his comparison 

 entirely false. 



j. I. He compares the struggle between individuals 

 V' of different species with the struggle between indi- 

 viduals of the same species; 



2. He compares the struggle between individuals 

 to the struggle between collectivities. 



I. The struggle between individuals of differ- 

 ent species is not of the same character as those 

 between individuals of the same species and can- 

 not be grouped under the same law without 

 further examination. If we consider examples 

 of the struggle between individuals and different 



' Life and Letters of Darwin, vol. ii., p. ill. 



