226 ANTHROPOLOGY AND MODERN LIFE MODERN LIFE AND PRNITIVE CULTURE 227

northern Vancouver Island, which are each divided of decidedly distinct ideals makes it exceedingly diffi- into a considerable number of clans or family groups cult for new types of thought to develop. It does of conflicting interests. Solidarity does not extend be- occur every now and then that a person does not yond the limits of the clan. For .this reason conflicts fit temperamentally into his culture, as for instance

imid, unambitious nobleman or an aggressive, am-

nity, seem lost in the simple &deavor of eveiy person . .

to come up to the standards of his society. ~ ; 3

The actual conduct of man does not correspond ti tive forms of human life. The irreconcilable conflicts . - ..

the ethical code, and obedience depends upon the of valuations that are characteristic of our times and degree of social and religious control. Among 6% to which we referred previously are in part absent be- selves actions opposed to the ethical code are checked cause in simple societies a single standard of behavior

by society, which holds every single pwson respon- prevails. We have referred to the freedom of the

sible for his actions. In many primitive societies there Eskimo of human control and have seen that, never- theless, he is hemmed in on all sides by the narrowness

is no such power. The behavior of an individual may

of his material culture, his beliefs and traditional be censured, but there is no strict accountability, al-

practices. There is no group known to him that pos- though the fear of supernatural punishment may

sesses different standards, that presents the problem serve as a substitute.

of choice between conflicting cultural alternatives There is no evolution of moral ideas. All the vices

that beset our lives, although conflicts based on dif- that we know, lying, theft, murder, rape, are dis-

ferent aspects of his own culture may arise. We have countenanced in the'life of equals in a closed sodety.

also referred to the social development of the child in There is progress in ethical conduct, based on the

Samoa where the lack of stratification into groups recognition of larger groups which participate in the