The causes and determinants of the decline of fertility to below replacement level in the developed world are considered in this essay. The discussion begins with and is largely founded on an examination of the nature of man and the determinism of history. The fertility decline is seen as having been facilitated by contraception and abortion but as having its true cause in some aspect of the culture of developed societies. "Narcissistic potential" is identified as an elemental feature of human beings, and the fertility decline is explained in terms of the rise to ascendancy of the individual as opposed to the collective. Rejection of the large family, rejection of all ideas of authority and hierarchy, and rejection of all experiences of solidarity are 3 aspects of the same phenomenon. The exaggerated need for autonomy and personal emancipation leads to questioning of traditional sex roles and the progressive weakening of ethnic identification. As soon as affluence beyond a certain level is reached, it brings with it a crisis of civilization. However, the trend would be reversed if each couple had 3 children. The government has the means to bring this about, if the vision to do so can be summoned.