age of a population living under the competitive system.

In an earlier chapter, in discussing the conditions of survival of
archaic traits, it has appeared that the peculiar position of the
leisure class affords exceptionally favorable chances for the survival
of traits which characterize the type of human nature proper to an
earlier and obsolete cultural stage. The class is sheltered from the
stress of economic exigencies, and is in this sense withdrawn from
the rude impact of forces which make for adaptation to the economic
situation. The survival in the leisure class, and under the
leisure-class scheme of life, of traits and types that are reminiscent
of the predatory culture has already been discussed. These aptitudes
and habits have an exceptionally favorable chance of survival under the
leisure-class regime. Not only does the sheltered pecuniary position of
the leisure class afford a situation favorable to the survival of such
individuals as are not gifted with the complement of aptitudes
required for serviceability in the modern industrial process; but
the leisure-class canons of reputability at the same time enjoin the
conspicuous exercise of certain predatory aptitudes. The employments
in which the predatory aptitudes find exercise serve as an evidence of
wealth, birth, and withdrawal from the industrial process. The survival
of the predatory traits under the leisure-class culture is furthered
both negatively, through the industrial exemption of the class, and
positively, through the sanction of the leisure-class canons of decency.

With respect to the survival of traits characteristic of the
ante-predatory savage culture the case is in some degree different.
The sheltered position of the leisure class favors the survival also of
these traits; but the exercise of the aptitudes for peace and good-will
does not have the affirmative sanction of the code of proprieties.
Individuals gifted with a temperament that is reminiscent of the
ante-predatory culture are placed at something of an advantage within
the leisure class, as compared with similarly gifted individuals outside
the class, in that they are not under a pecuniary necessity to
thwart these aptitudes that make for a non-competitive life; but such
individuals are still exposed to something of a moral constraint
which urges them to disregard these inclinations, in that the code of
proprieties enjoins upon them habits of life based on the predatory
aptitudes