PDF-file (The same edition. Another cover. 2.2 Mb)

The Imperfection of Past Aggregates 287largest unit yet successfully developed by Nature, — entire unityis not always achieved. If no other elements of discord remain,yet the conflict of classes is always possible. And the phenomenonleads us to another rule of this gradual developmentof Nature in human life which we shall find of very considerableimportance when we come to the question of a realisable humanunity. The perfection of the individual in a perfected society oreventually in a perfected humanity — understanding perfectionalways in a relative and progressive sense — is the inevitable aimof Nature. But the progress of all the individuals in a society doesnot proceed pari passu, with an equal and equable march. Someadvance, others remain stationary — absolutely or relatively, —others fall back. Consequently the emergence of a dominant classis inevitable within the aggregate itself, just as in the constantclash between the aggregates the emergence of dominant nationsis inevitable. That class will predominate which develops mostperfectly the type Nature needs at the time for her progress or, itmay be, for her retrogression. If she demands power and strengthof character, a dominant aristocracy emerges; if knowledge andscience, a dominant literary or savant class; if practical ability,ingenuity, economy and efficient organisation, a dominant bourgeoisieor Vaishya class, usually with the lawyer at the head; ifdiffusion rather than concentration of general well-being and aclose organisation of toil, then even the domination of an artisanclass is not impossible.But this phenomenon, whether of dominant classes or dominantnations, can never be more than a temporary necessity; forthe final aim of Nature in human life cannot be the exploitationof the many by the few or even of the few by the many, can neverbe the perfection of some at the cost of the abject submergenceand ignorant subjection of the bulk of humanity; these can onlybe transient devices. Therefore we see that such dominationsbear always in them the seed of their own destruction. They mustpass either by the ejection or destruction of the exploiting elementor else by a fusion and equalisation. We see in Europe andAmerica that the dominant Brahmin and the dominant Kshatriyahave been either abolished or are on the point of subsidence into