The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-14
II.


strong.
When We pass to industry we ind that the
different pro-ethical and ethical beliefs en-
tertained in different times and places vary
according to fundamental distinctions be-
tween casses OF human activities. and be-
tween their relations to the social state. In.
dustry, as We now understand it, scarcely ex-
lists among primitive men-scarcely. indeed.
can exist before the pastoral and agricultural
states have been established. In most cases
the preservation of q tribe Of savages is deter
mined by its success in war and the chase.
whence it follows that the strength. cour-
age. or skill shown in those employ
ments are honored both for themselves
and for their value to the tribe. Con-
versely. since the digging Up Of roots and the
gathering of wild fruits and tho collecting Of
shelillsh do not call for strength. courage.
and skill. and do not conspicuously further
tribal preservation. these occupations come to
be but little honorod. or relatively despised.
An implication strengthens the contrast:
while the stronger sex is called on to devote
itself to the one set Of occupations the other
Is left to the weaker sex. sometimes aided by
conquered mon or slaves Hence arises fur
Their reason why. in primitive societies. honor
is given to the predatory activitios. while tho
peaceful activities are held in disrenute.
The contrast thus initiated between the sem
timsnts with which these classes Of occupa-
tons are regarded has persisted with but
small though increasing qualification through
out the course OF human progress: and it
has thus persisted because the causes have
remained persistent While the self preserva-
ton OF society has most conspicuously de-
pended on the activities implied by successful
war. such activities have been held In honor:
and. BY implication. industrial activities have
been held contemplate. Only during recent
tlmes-only now that national welfare is be-
coming more and moro dependent on superior
powers OF production. and such superior
powers OF production are becoming moro
and more dependent on the higher
mental faculttes--aro other occupations
than militant ones rising into resDecta bility.
while. simultaneously. responsibility Is being
acknowledged in the accompanying capacity
for persistent and monotonous application. In
modern days, especially among Englishmen
and Americans. the industrial part Of society
has 20 greatly outgrown tho militant part.
and has como to be SO much more operative In
forming the sentiments and ideas concerning
industry. that these are almost reversed.
Though unskilled labor Is still regarded with
something like contempt. as implying In
feriority OF capacity and OF social position.
and though the labor OF the artisan is more
respected because OF tho higher mental
power 1t implies. while 1t is still little respect
ed because OF Its class associations: yet
Intellectual labor has In recent times
acquired an honorable status. But tho
fact chiefly to be marked Is that. along with
the advance OF industrialism toward social SUI
premacy in England and tho United States.
hAra n ri ha nj nj ooI "a In
that some kind Of useful occupation is imper-
ative. COMBINATIONS OF tho Idle rich" are
nowadays uttered BY tho rich themselves. 1t
Is noted. however, by Mr.. Spencer that even
to this day. and oven In Eng land and tho
United Statos. among those who represent the
ancient regme-the military and naval officers
tho old feeling survives. with the curious re-
suit that those among them who possess tho
highest culture-the medical officers, both
military and naval. and the engineer officers
are regarded us standing on lower level than
the rest. and are treated with less considera-
ton by the authorities.
One remaining fact 10 brought out md en-
phasized In the book before US, Out OF the
pro-ethical sentiments which yield sanction
to industry and make 1t honorable. there even
tually emerges tho ethical sentiment proper
This docs not enjoln labor for It's own sake.
but enioins It as implied by the duty OF self
sustentation instead Of sustentation by others.
Tho virtue OF work consists essentially In the
performance OF such actions as suffics to meet
tho cost OF maintaining solf and dependents
and dischargtng social duties. while the dis
grscefulness Of idleness essentially consists
In taking from the common stock tho means
Of living. while doing nothing either to add to
It or otherwise to further mems happiness.
HI.
In monogamio communities We unauestion-
ably regard chastity as fundamental virtue
at all events In women 1t has not. however.
been equally esteemed by men in oil stages Of
social evolution. and there are com munlties
In which 1t is not even deemed virtue To
prove this Is tho initial purpose OF chapter
allotted to tho subject. although Mr. Spencer
Is not whit behind the most jealous Christian