XVIII. 

 EVIL AND ALTRUISM IN NATURE. 



The existence of evil in the world is a problem 

 that has taxed the greatest minds in all ages. What 

 is evil? Can we reconcile its existence with the pur- 

 poses of an all-wise, all-powerful and beneficent 

 Creator? 



We do not apply the word evil to the inorganic 

 world. Whatever may be the conditions and rela- 

 tions of inorganic materials to each other, we cannot 

 think of them as being the subjects of evil. Nor can 

 we apply the term to plants, although their environ- 

 ment may be such as to dwarf or to kill them. Nor 

 does it seem appropriate to apply the word evil to 

 the lower forms of animal life, such as sponges, 

 polyps, etc., which have no nervous system and which 

 are capable of only the dullest sort of feeling. 



The word is applicable in the case of all organisms 

 which are capable of experiencing pain, especially in 

 acute forms. By evil I think we commonly mean 

 suffering, and we speak of an environment as being 

 evil when it produces suffering. Is the mission of 

 suffering wise and beneficent? Could not animals 

 and man have been made without the capacity to suf- 

 fer? is sometimes asked. 



Organic beings may be graded according to their 



capacity to enjoy and to suffer. These two capacities 



increase and decrease together. The more elevated 



the animal in the scale of existence — the more highly 



301 



