The traces of this initial, undifferentiated peaceable phase of culture
seem faint and doubtful if we look merely to such categorical evidence
of its existence as is afforded by usages and views in vogue within the
historical present, whether in civilized or in rude communities; but
less dubious evidence of its existence is to be found in psychological
survivals, in the way of persistent and pervading traits of human
character. These traits survive perhaps in an especial degree among
those ethic elements which were crowded into the background during the
predatory culture. Traits that were suited to the earlier habits of life
then became relatively useless in the individual struggle for existence.
And those elements of the population, or those ethnic groups, which
were by temperament less fitted to the predatory life were repressed and
pushed into the background. On the transition to the predatory culture
the character of the struggle for existence changed in some degree from
a struggle of the group against a non-human environment to a struggle
against a human environment. This change was accompanied by an
increasing antagonism and consciousness of antagonism between the
individual members of the group. The conditions of success within the
group, as well as the conditions of the survival of the group, changed
in some measure; and the dominant spiritual attitude for the group
gradually changed, and brought a different range of aptitudes and
propensities into the position of legitimate dominance in the accepted
scheme of life. Among these archaic traits that are to be regarded as
survivals from the peaceable cultural phase, are that instinct of race
solidarity which we call conscience, including the sense of truthfulness
and equity, and the instinct of workmanship, in its naive, non-invidious
expression.
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