i68 The Morality of Nature 



of purpose, of an organization of many persons constituting 

 a unit of life greater than that of the individual, wherein 

 men and women devote their labor to the benefit of society, 

 that is to say, not to their own offspring, but to the offspring 

 of others. This justification of a condition carries with it 

 however a duty of sacred obligation of persons toward the 

 individual life thus devoted. The sacrifice to others places 

 in them and their organization, the responsibility; and visi- 

 bly as well as figuratively, the acceptance of such service 

 without gratitude, and without reciprocating protection, is 

 a depravity which not only cuts off the service, but which 

 reacts in a loss of that kind of co-operative ability and 

 benefit. 



The obvious effect of this understanding of the recipro- 

 cal privileges and duties of altruistic organizations, is a 

 desire in justice to lessen the burdens upon any willing indi- 

 vidual, and seek for its fair distribution. And in distribu- 

 tion, the principle showing most value is the free will of 

 the worker, which increases efficiency. In this purpose 

 advancing humanity repels that type of organization wherein 

 some members are subjected to others under compulsion. 

 Although the physical advantages of organization under 

 compulsion appeal to humanity as well as to wider nature, 

 in the transition phases of association; yet they are repug- 

 nant to the higher desires, and are superseded by the volun- 

 tary altruistic method in its proven greater benefits, when 

 voluntary specialization comes into being. 



The cultivation of the principle of equality of interest, 

 reveals it as superior to mere unity of interest without 

 equality. 



