282 ADAPTATION AND PROGRESS 



His theory is open to the same criticism as that of the neo- 

 Darwinians : The inter-group rivalry is not so keen as to eliminate 

 all but the best adapted, hence emphasis on mere activity and the 

 assimilation of everything, is a dangerous doctrine. Activity 

 and adaptation are by no means in direct ratio, nor are intelli- 

 gence and adaptation. 



Notwithstanding these shortcomings his four-fold analysis of 

 adaptation with emphasis on active material adaptation inter- 

 preted in terms of the increasing elimination of space and time, 

 and on active social adaptation secured by means of reflective 

 imitation and the provoking of imitation in others through the 

 power of an attractive example, together with his teaching con- 

 cerning the hierarchy of struggles culminating in group rivalry for 

 excellence, especially cultural, warrant Les Luttes being given 

 the prominent place accorded it in this discussion. 



