280 ADAPTATION AND PROGRESS 



greatest possible degree. " To live the best possible, this is 

 the end of every member of society." 1 With this end in view, 

 how the earth is divided among different political groups is of 

 as little importance as the administrative divisions in the case of 

 a state. 2 



How self-interest leads to social solidarity is brought out in his 

 theory of the scale of interests: " To be the richest in the richest 

 society; to be the first in the most powerful society; to be a part 

 of the most civilized nationality, — this is the individual point of 

 view. But considering each nation as a unit in a still higher order 

 we may say that each society is interested in being the richest 

 among the richest societies; the best organized (the most perfect) 

 among the best organized; the most civilized among the most 

 civilized." 3 In answer to the question as to how one can enrich 

 himself without impoverishing another, he says : " By producing 

 the most riches in the shortest time." So one can surpass others 

 in intelligence without diminishing the development of society 

 " by imposing his ideas on others merely by the power of per- 

 suasion." 3 



The continuity of organic, including social evolution is brought 

 out in the following: — 



To climb the ladder of being constitutes the interest of every living creat- 

 ure from the smallest microbe to the greatest nation. To be the most 

 intelligent animal assures the victory over other animals. To be rich gives 

 the possibility of cultivating the mental powers; to be rich and intelligent 

 gives the possibility of occupying the foremost place in the state, and this, 

 in turn, furnishes the opportunity of adapting one's social environment most 

 quickly to one's needs. To be part of the richest society permits one to 

 profit by the most complete material and mental equipment. This equip- 

 ment gives political power and political power, in turn, assures the most rapid 

 extension of nationality. 3 



Finally, self-interest and emphasis on rivalry in excellence leads 

 to international solidarity, — all co-operating for the conquest of 

 nature to secure the greatest possible satisfaction of human 

 needs. 4 



That which causes suffering to humanity is the lack of adaptation between 

 man and nature. When men come to understand that their true enemy is 



1 Les Luttes, p. 544. 3 Ibid., p. 553. 



2 Ibid., p. 547. * Ibid., p. 571. 



