394 The Morality of Nature 



of equal co-operative impulse, that one is the strongest which 

 has the greatest capacity for organization, and the most 

 unity of purpose when organized. 



This superior strength is available and effective in defense, 

 and even in aggression, when so applied under compulsion, 

 by the still active forces of older type ; but much more is it 

 effective in its particular mutual purposes. 



Now in this view the struggle for existence may cease 

 to mean aggressive self -maintenance by the actual abase- 

 ment of rivals, and appear as an equally effective mainten- 

 ance in comparative superiority by higher evolution of self. 

 The survival of the fittest is evidently an abiding law, but 

 it does not forever mean fitness by destructive capacity. 

 Physical force is a provisional qualification which suffices 

 in a life lacking intellect, or wherein co-operation is slight; 

 but which goes down into disuse when mind discovers the 

 value of mutual alliance, and of unity of purpose ; and mar- 

 shals the overpowering numbers of its new units of conduct. 



This is the tendency which promises to promote humanity 

 to higher attainments by future evolution acting in the 

 same way that prevailed in the past, as revealed in the 

 geological and biological records. 



