The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-01-03
THE SURVIVAL OF THE FIT.
SOME THOUGHTS ON COMPETI
TION.
Abstract OF the Address of Richard II.
Ely mt the Meeting of the American
Economic Association.

Ely Mt the Meeting of the American
Economic Association.
Quotations for and against competi-
ton could be multiplied Indefinitely.
eW find it asserted on the one hand
that competition is sinful warfare; that
1t is division, disunion, every man for
himself, every man against his broth
er; on the other hand, that it is mutu-
al service that it is the essence of the
golden rule. Such contradictory views
suggest that the disputants are talking
about different things and that what is
needed first of all is definition. Compe-
tltion, in large sense, means strug-
gle of conflicting interests; economic
competition is a struggle of conflicting
interests for wealth. But is all struggle
for wealth competition? If 1 knock you
down and rob you, is that competition?
IT | fit out an armed ship and prey
upon the commerce of the world, is that
competition? IF 1 cheat you, is that
competition? Not every struggle of
conflicting interests is to be denomina-
ted competition. The competitive
struggle is limited by law, and it's boun-
daries are further fixed by the social Or
der within the framework of which we
live.
But even with these limitations
: placed upon the struggle, we do not
have a sufficient idea of economic COM
petition. We must bring to mind also
the great principle of evolution which is
present wherever there is life. Biolo-
gists first brought out the hard and
cruel side of the struggle for existence
among the lower animals. 1.-THE crea-
lures" said Huxley, ARE fairly well
treated and set to fight; whereby the
strongest, the swiftest, the cunningest,
live to fight another day. The spectator
has no iced to turn his thumb down, as
no quarter is given" But it was not
long before observers called attention.
to the fact that the struggle is not for
life merely, but also for the life of 9TH
ers; Offspring, mates and companions.
Associat zion and mutual aid among an
finals were seen to play a large part in
the struggle for existence, and co-opera-
ton to be powerful weapon even in
sub-human competition.
Passing to the point in organic evolu-
tion where we have the emergents of
man, we find that among primitive men
competition seems more cruel than
among animals. But social evolution
carries it to higher and ever higher
planes Primitive competition includes
a narrow circle of associations and be-
yond that, slaughter for economic adj
vantage. With social evolution slaugh-
ter gradually falls below competition
into the region of crime, When men
considered 1t dishonorable TO gain by
the sweat of the brow what could be
won by the sword, battle belonged to
economic competition The competitive
social order once found within its
framework a place for slavery. Slave
nv now falls below the plane of compe-
tion. and is regarded as Incompatible
with civilization. Since the beginning
of the nineteenth century, the plane OF
has been steadily raised
Tine labor Of very young children mas
been outlawed; the labor, even or
grown men, has In many cases, been re-
Etricted, and many unwholesome condl-
tions and oppressive practices nave
been put below the plane OF competl-
tion.
We have already mentioned the fact
of association among animals for mutu-
al aid. Social evolution among men re-
yeals. along with competition, the grow
ino enhancement of the associated COM
netitiye grouy. We find voluntary,
groups Of employers,
pursuing common purposes; groups OF |
likewise seeking to pro-
mote common interests; political asso-
ciations embracing within themselves
an infinite variety of competitive |!
acSnpi1tiOnG al /
have competitive features, but conpe- |
tition nowhere stands alone. With 1t /
ere associated sympathy, benevolence !
and public authority. The larger the
group, the wider the sphere |
of generosity, the larger the safe scope
of pity, and the milder may be compe-
+ition become for the individual. inter-
national competition is stern TACT OF /
our time. Is Is not equally fact that
the most potent nations in this world
wide struggle are precisely those in
which we find the highest Individual
and social development of altruism?
Through the selective process of COM
netition we have the survival OF the
ft Rut fitness has reference simply
In conditions of a particular time and
Mace. Aggressive pirates were at one
lime fit for survival, now they are
ikelv to come to an lgnominious end.
Society itself establishes many of the
conditions of the struggle for existence,
and it is for society to create such eco
,o,nic conditions that only desirable
,ocial qualities shall constitute emil
lent fitness for survival Let me offer
IN iIlustration To-day the civil service
many an opportunity for
livelihood. Competition for admission
$ found when we have the so-called ,
,poils system, and the competition is ,
intense and frequently bitter. 1t issues
n the survival of men with qualities
Snown to us ALL Civi-service reform .
loes not remove competition; it extends
but with a difference in &,
Methods which issues in the survival
# men with qualities of another sort. !
n all such social changes we have not =
he suppression of competition, but !,
a ther a regulation of competition by :
he mind of man.
Competition is permanent feature of :
,uman society. 1t begins with the low
ST order of animals, and continues it's
ction among the highest orders Of y
men. But it continually mounts to .
higher and higher elevations and =
oeans rivalry forever in better and bet !,
or things. We leave behind contests
or bare subsistence to engage in con- y
sste for noble prizes of the mind and
Or opportunities for social service. We =