Associated Motives Multiplex i79 



creatures of the individual in question. Here is another 

 evidence of the mutual interest in activities which makes 

 logical both the sacrifices of altruism, and the control of 

 conduct by common consent of many in association. It is 

 seen to be essential to the system of associated conduct, 

 that all, or at least a preponderating and workable majority, 

 should coincide in a united conception of duties and ideals. 

 The evident waste of effect shown by sacrifice not desired 

 or appreciated, such as the attempts of a higher or different 

 civilization to persuade belief on the part of a lower bar- 

 barism, or of some unrelated culture, exemplifies the transi- 

 tory nature of definitions of conduct, and their local and 

 limited character. Inasmuch as fitness, and increase of 

 fitness, not for another's environment, but for one's own 

 circumstances, are the tests of conduct, and of its cultiva- 

 tion, it is clear that any standard which is foreign, and igno- 

 rant of those circumstances, may produce evil rather than 

 good; that is to say, injury rather than benefit, even if it is 

 in its own highest nature right; unless that standard is so 

 widely set up that it is generally understood and accepted 

 by all those associated in the responsibility. And in a self- 

 evolved culture the same consensus is needed ; an individual 

 cannot elevate himself indefinitely, by the comprehension or 

 practice of conduct ideally better than that of his neighbors. 

 Such progress is feasible only within certain limits, after 

 which it is necessary that the community become associated 

 in the ideals, in order that their value may be developed 

 without reversion to hostility of attitude. The idea of 

 personal right in property, for example, is accepted as being 

 beneficial in its stimulation to progress by industry, and to 



