270 ADAPTATION AND PROGRESS 
Adaptation to the physical environment is science. . . . The totality of 
the human sciences elaborates a conception of the universe as complete as 
possible and if this conception were perfect the adaptation of man to his 
cosmic environment would be absolute. 
The influence which one organism exerts on another is strong in proportion 
to their resemblance or to their affinity. In that case movements produced 
by one organism are reproduced spontaneously by the other. . . . Imitation 
is passive adaptation to the social environment.? ... 
Active adaptation to the physical environment has the same name in 
sociology as in biology, — production. As the mental horizon of man is much 
higher than that of animals he foresees the possibility of adapting his environ- 
ment to his needs ina greater measure. Moreover as his faculty of prevision 
becomes greater, production takes two forms: man can transform external 
objects for his immediate use but he can also create utilities to enable him to 
adapt a portion of the planet to his needs (as digging canals, draining 
swamps, irrigating arid lands, etc.). . . . Organization and biological tools 
on the one hand and science and social tools on the other are in the closest 
co-ordination. ... 
The active adaptation of the social environment can be designated by the 
general term love. Indeed to love any one is to desire to make that person 
like oneself. Charity has for its goal to procure for others the material well- 
being which we ourselves enjoy. ‘The apostle, the propagandist, have for 
their aim to lead others to think as they do. Charity and propaganda are 
the two forms which bring about the active adaptation of the social environ- 
ment.® 
The forms and processes of adaptation as explained by Novicow 
are shown in the following diagram: 4 — 
ADAPTATION 
Phenomena Passive Active 
Biological Organization Biological tools 
Social tools of the first 
Physical Science Produc- degree 
Psychical environment tion 
Adaptation of the planet 
and (second degree) 
Sociological Social — Charity 
environment Imitation Love 
Propaganda 
1 Novicow with Aristotle identifies knowledge with power, but man’s actual 
adaptation to his environment is never on a par with his knowledge. 
2 Here our author follows the now discarded theory of instinctive imitation. 
Such a theory fails to give sufficient prominence to individuality and the satisfac- 
tion of individual interests by instinct and habit. 
3 Les Luttes, pp. 38-40. 
4 Tbid., p. 41. 
