Social Environment and Moral Progress

SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND MORAL PROGRESS
Photo: Reginald Haines
Alfred Russel Wallace O.M., D.C.L.Oxon. F.R.S., &c.
Author of The Malay Archipelago, Darwinism, Man's Place in the Universe, The World of Life, &c. &c.
Cassell and Company, Ltd London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne 1913
First Edition March 1913 . Reprinted April and June 1913.


Social Environment and Moral Progress
Before entering on the question of the relation of morality to our existing social environment, it will be advisable to inquire what we mean by moral progress, and what evidence there is that any such progress has occurred in recent times, or even within the period of well-established history.
By morals we mean right conduct, not only in our immediate social relations, but also in our dealings with our fellow citizens and with the whole human race. It is based upon the possession of clear ideals as to what actions are right and what are wrong and the determination of our conduct by a constant reference to those ideals.
The belief was once prevalent, and is