# I: The Appearance of a New Species explained — Last and First Men

> Chapter companion for Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon.

## What happens

This chapter describes the emergence of the Second Men, a new human species that appeared ten million years after the Patagonian disaster. It details their physical and psychological improvements over the First Men, including greater stature, enhanced vision, superior cognitive abilities, and a more altruistic and cosmopolitan nature. However, it also notes their lack of self-regard as a motive, which slows their progress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Evolution

The chapter focuses on the biological and psychological evolution of humanity, presenting the Second Men as an improved but flawed species.

### Suffering and Redemption

The Second Men's altruism and religion of love are contrasted with their lack of self-regard, suggesting a tension between their ideals and their progress.

## Character check-ins

### The Second Men

The new human species, described in detail with their physical and mental traits.

### The First Men

The predecessor species, compared unfavorably to the Second Men in various aspects.

### Jesus

Referenced as the model for the 'Natural Christians' behavior of the Second Men.

## Key lines

> It was some ten million years after the Patagonian disaster that the first elements of a new human species appeared, in an epidemic of biological variations, many of which were extremely valuable.

A new human species emerged from a burst of beneficial mutations, ten million years after the Patagonian disaster.

_Sets the time and origin of the Second Men._

> In the Second Men this competitive self-assertion, this championship of the most intimately known animal against all others, was greatly tempered.

The Second Men had much less competitive self-assertion than the First Men.

_Highlights a key psychological difference between the species._

> Indeed, in this respect the Second Men might be called “Natural Christians,” so readily and constantly did they love one another in the manner of Jesus, and infuse their whole social policy with loving-kindness.

The Second Men were so naturally loving and kind that they could be called 'Natural Christians.'

_Describes their innate altruism and its religious parallel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-appearance-of-a-new-species
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters