But let us now consider certain conclusions, relevant to our project, which emerge from these remarks.

It seems true that human beings, for whatever reason, possess “darker” elements. It is true that there are exploitative elements in them, sadistic elements, masochistic elements. These are real, and they are there. It is naivety to deny them. It is also a bit stupid to deplore them. They are as natural to us as our skins and our prehensile hands, the motions of our blood and the circuits of our unusual brains. It is also obvious that whatever the results might be for the health of the single individual it is morally wrong to hurt, to truly hurt, human beings. We have in us then dark tendencies which may either be suppressed or expressed. It is perhaps not healthy to completely suppress these tendencies, but, on the other hand, it is surely wrong to express them in modalities which would increase the misery of the world. One cannot, if one is informed, deny that these things exist. Indeed, it may be that if one denies them they will have their say in more insidious ways, perhaps injuring health or erupting in disguise in the character of a persecuting moral righteousness. How many of the nobler fanatics of our time, and previous times, have not claimed their cruelties as justices or dignities?

We have these elements in us.

Do we hurt people, or do we grit our teeth, and turn the acids inward?

The obvious solution seems to be to express these elements in a way that is both sane and healthy, that enhances life and produces pleasure. I do not speak of sublimation. I speak of the real thing. I speak of morally acceptable, gratifying, honest concessions to elements that are as much a part of us as our rationalities and our loves.

Is this possible?

III. Marriage, Sex And Normality

Most romances, it seems, are exciting and delicious. Most marriages, it seems, are rather routine affairs, often founded on a genuine and deep affection, but mentally, sexually, largely uninteresting and boring. The average friendship and partnership aspects of marriage, so important, could obtain as well among two women or two men. Indeed, exclusive of the family relationship, two friends, or two roommates, if they cared for one another and were adequately efficient cooperants, would have functioning for them ninety-five percent of the average marriage. This does not say much for the average marriage.