Diminution of Vital Power 83 



processes by which social life is organized in 

 Nature. When the result of a struggle between 

 two beings is no longer a total death, even deferred, • 

 of the vanquished, but solely a certain diminution 

 of enjoyment, the conqueror and the conquered 

 can live alongside each other for the normal dura- 

 tion of their existence. As we shall see later, 

 this process is not the only one. Another pro- 

 cess, much more rapid for forming societies, 

 is co-operation. 



The scale of subordination in society ranges 

 from the difference in regard to food supply 

 to that of intellect or sentiment. In respect 

 to food supply the victor can obtain a more 

 abundant and refined nourishment while con- 

 demning the vanquished to a less abundant and 

 coarser supply of food. This does not prevent 

 the vanquished from living out the full term of 

 his life. It may even add to his longevity. The 

 same things may occur in regard to clothing and 

 shelter. The conqueror may live in a splendid 

 palace while the vanquished can only imperfectly 

 shelter himself from the severities of the climate. 

 However, the inhabitant of a hut may reach as 

 ripe an old age as the inhabitant of a mansion. 

 Finally we may have a difference of satisfaction 

 in regard to pride. The conqueror may obtain 

 the applause and the honours which are with- 

 held from the vanquished. This may prove a 

 privation to him but it does not prevent him from 

 living out the full time of his normal Ufe. It 



