Aspiration in Evolution is Morality 379 



In short it shows us that the regressive phase of evolu- 

 tion has after all its place in the scheme. It is the lot of 

 those creatures who are outstripped by their fellows. We 

 have seen among the simplest living creatures some which 

 stand still, apparently since the dawn of life, while others 

 which once were like them proceed upward. We see some 

 others who, reaching upper grades, not only fail to continue, 

 but degenerate. Degeneracy of inherited form has not been 

 reviewed biologically here, because it is so complex a sub- 

 ject, and because its general effect as a process of nature 

 can be sufficiently described as regression. It is a slow re- 

 versal of the cumulative progress of evolution; which may 

 again reverse, for even such regression may be a path into 

 an upward evolution of new character. 



This sketch of the trusteeship of biological heredity, built 

 upon a primary observation of life of low consciousness, 

 and carried thence into human aspects, shows again in evolu- 

 tion, what appeared in the lesser life; the super-position of 

 one law upon another. Conduct controlled continues in part, 

 and another part is emancipated, but not the whole. The 

 law of free conduct is added to, and does not displace, the 

 law of controlled conduct. Whether the control partially 

 escaped, is the unseen environment of the blind, dumb con- 

 sciousness of lowly life, or whether it is the control of hu- 

 manity by human wisdom so great as to take supernatural 

 aspect, and to compel faith from lesser intelligence, there 

 is never such emancipation from control as to leave conduct 

 irresponsible. There is simply a transfer of control from 

 one place of issue to another. In the first case it transfers 

 from the unreasoned happening of chemical reactions, to the 



