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 Luites being given 
the prominent place accorded it in this discussion. 
