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.? 
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.” * 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.* 
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. 5 Ibid., p. 553. 
2 Thid., p. 547. 4 Ibid., p. 571. 
