Dependent Life i^i 



in the discovery of new usefulness in its blindest efforts. 

 It is the perception and utilization of this altruism by the 

 self-consciousness of humanity which makes it a human 

 virtue. In elementary form the subversion of the sexual 

 and parental and brotherly instincts, and their suppression 

 by circumstances, are afflictions which must be resisted and 

 overcome, or suffered in serious disadvantage; and which, if 

 continued, usually mean extermination. There arise in 

 evolution variations in exception to this normal course, as 

 for example in the life of bees and certain other insects, in 

 which individuals are directly appointed to lives of sacrifice. 

 The workers or neuters of these species, although they seem 

 to be potentially perfect for transmission of life, are de- 

 prived by their association of the opportunity, and limited 

 to a life of ministry to the community. The justice of such 

 a dispensation must be sought in the fact, previously noted, 

 that the alternative to this life would be oblivion. If we sup- 

 pose the creature questioned, as to the acceptance or rejec- 

 tion of such a life, the offer would take the form of an 

 invitation on one hand to a life of subordinate opportunity, 

 or on the other hand to no life at all. Obviously nature is 

 not indebted to an unborn creature for a right to live, and 

 still less for any special privileges. Any degree or duration 

 of life granted is a gift in which the creature is a trustee 

 and debtor and not a creditor. So it appears that the self- 

 sacrifice of incomplete neuters or workers is really com- 

 parable to their discharge of a debt or obligation to the 

 race, in which the individual is the beneficiary, to the extent 

 of his enjoyment, of the life afforded him for the purpose 

 of his office, and without which he would not have existed. 



