22 Michael Ruse
(the two pretty birds displaying before the females).
Sexual selection was introduced into theOrigin, although it was not given much
prominence. Now, in the light of Wallace’s apostasy, it was to be brought out
into the open and given a job of its own. Darwin wanted to agree with Wallace
that natural selection could not account for the peculiarities of humankind, but
to disagree with Wallace about the need of a non-natural explanation. Instead,
Darwin argued that sexual selection is a major force in human evolution. Hence
the need of a general survey of the topic in a book on humans, so that then it
could be applied directly to us. As it was.
With barbarous nations, for instance, the Australians, the women are
the constant cause of war both between members of the same tribe and
between distinct tribes. So no doubt it was in ancient times; ”nam fuit
ante Helenam mulier teterrima belli causa.” With the North American
Indians, the contest is reduced to a system. That excellent observer,
Hearne, says:– ”It has ever been the custom among these people for
the men to wrestle for any woman to whom they are attached; and, of
course, the strongest party always carries off the prize. A weak man,
unless he be a good hunter, and well-beloved, is seldom permitted to
keep a wife that a stronger man thinks worth his notice. This custom
prevails throughout all the tribes, and causes a great spirit of emulation
among their youth, who are upon all occasions, from their childhood,
trying their strength and skill in wrestling.” [Darwin, 1871, 2, 324]Obvious consequences follow:
There can be little doubt that the greater size and strength of man,
in comparison with woman, together with his broader shoulders, more
developed muscles, rugged outline of body, his greater courage and
pugnacity, are all due in chief part to inheritance from some early male
progenitor, who, like the existing anthropoid apes, was thus charac-
terised. These characters will, however, have been preserved or even
augmented during the long ages whilst man was still in a barbarous
condition, by the strongest and boldest having succeeded best in the
general struggle for life, as well as in securing wives, and thus having
left a large number of offspring. (2, 325)PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUESA matter of some interest, especially to those caring about philosophy, is where
Darwin stood on such issues as human knowledge (epistemology) and human
morality (ethics). In turning to these questions, it is important to stress that
Darwin was always first and foremost a scientist. He was not a philosopher nor
was he obsessed with philosophical questions. (Huxley had philosophical preten-
sions, writing a book onHume, With Helps to the Study of Berkeley.) Darwin had