Religion and Social Progress 293 



The causes of social progress Darwin finds in 

 those factors which strengthen morahty. 



The more efficient causes of progress seem to 

 consist of a good education during youth while the 

 brain is impressible, and of a high standard of excel- 

 lence inculcated by the ablest and best men, embodied 

 in the laws, customs, and traditions of the nation, 

 and enforced by public opinion. It should, however, 

 be borne in mind that the enforcement of public 

 opinion depends on our appreciation of the appro- 

 bation and disapprobation of others ; and this appreci- 

 ation is founded on our sympathy, which it can hardly 

 be doubted was originally developed through natural 

 selection as one of the most important elements of 

 the social instincts.^ 



Darwin recognizes not only reason, but also 

 religion as a potent influence in moral progress. 



The moral nature of man has reached its present 

 standard partly through the advancement of his 

 reasoning powers, and consequently of a just public 

 opinion, but especially from his sympathies having 

 been rendered more tender and widely diffused 

 through the effects of habit, example, instruction, and 

 reflection. . . . With the more civilized races, the 

 conviction of the existence of an all-seeing Deity has 

 had a potent influence on the advance of morality. ^ 



He finds the great principle of reciprocity 

 laid down in the Sermon on the Mount to be the 

 foundation of the moral law, a kind of law of 

 gravitation in human relations : 



' The Descent of Man, p. 159. » Idem, p. 636. 



