Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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ALLAN KARDEC
690. Regarded from a purely physical point of view, are the bodies of the present race of men
a special creation, or have they proceeded from the bodies of the primitive races by
reproduction?
"The origin of races is hidden in the night of time; but as they all belong to the great human
family, whatever may have been the primitive root of each, they have been able to form
alliances with one another, and thus to produce new types."
691. What, from a physical point of view, is the distinctive and dominant characteristic of
primitive races?
"The development of brute force at the expense of intellectual power. The contrary takes
place at the present day; for man now acts rather through his intelligence than through his
bodily strength, and yet he accomplishes a hundred-fold more than he formerly did, because
he has learned to avail himself of the forces of nature, which the animals cannot do."
692. Is the improvement of the vegetable and animal races, through the applications of
science, contrary to the law of nature? Would it be more conformable with that law to leave
them to follow their normal course?
"It is the duty of all beings to concur, in every way, in helping forward the general progress;
and man himself is employed by God as an instrument for the accomplishment of His ends.
Perfection being the aim towards which everything in nature is tending, to help forward this
process of improvement is to assist in working out the Divine intentions."
- But man, in his efforts to ameliorate the races of the lower reigns, is generally moved by
self-interest, and has no other aim than the increase of his personal enjoyments; does not this
diminish the merit of his action?
"What matters it that his merit should be null, provided the work of progress be
accomplished? It is for him to render his labour meritorious by inspiring himself with a noble
motive. Besides, in effecting these ameliorations, he develops his intelligence; and it is in this
way that he derives the greatest benefit from his labour."
Obstacles To Reproduction.
693. Are the human laws and customs that have been established for the purpose of placing
obstacles in the way of reproduction contrary to the laws of nature?