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Transcriber’s Note: The text is that of the first edition, with theerrata incorporated. Because there are no page breaks, footnotes areplaced under the paragraphs or quotations to which they relate, andrenumbered accordingly. Page numbers have been inserted into the textin braces.
C’est le peuple qui compose le genre humain; ce qui n’est paspeuple est si peu de chose que ce n’est pas la peine de lecompter. (Émile, livre 4.)
1899
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To: CHARLES STEWART LOCH
{vii}
The present work is an attempt to express what I take to be thefundamental ideas of a true social philosophy. I have criticisedand interpreted the doctrines of certain well-known thinkers onlywith the view of setting these ideas in the clearest light. This isthe whole purpose of the book; and I have intentionally abstainedfrom practical applications, except by way of illustration. It ismy conviction, indeed, that a better understanding of fundamentalprinciples would very greatly contribute to the more rationalhandling of practical problems. But this better understanding isonly to be attained, as it seems to me, by a thorough examinationof ideas, apart from the associations of practical issues aboutwhich a fierce party spirit has been aroused. And, moreover, itis my belief that the influence of the ideas here maintained uponpractical discussion, would be, in a certain sense, to detach it fromphilosophical theory. The principles which I advocate would destroyso many party prejudices, would put the mind in possession of so manyclues to fact, that practical “social” issues would in consequencebe considered as problems of life and mind, to be treated only withintimate experience, and by methods adequate to their subtlety. The{viii} result would be that such discussions would be regarded, ifone may use the expression, more respectfully, and would acquire anindependence and completeness worthy of their importance. The work ofthe social reformer should no more be regarded as a mere appendix tosocial theory than that of the doctor is regarded as a mere appendixto physiology. Such a division of labour is, of course, no hindranceto the interchange of facts and ideas between theory and practice.On the contrary, it tends to promote such an interchange, byincreasing the supply on either side, and improving the intellectualcommunication between them.
It will occur to philosophical readers that the essence of thetheory here presented is to be found not merely in Plato and inAristotle, but in very many modern writers, more especially in Hegel,T.H. Green, Bradley, [1] and Wallace. [2] And they may be inclinedto doubt the justification for a further work on the same linesby one who can hardly expect to improve upon the writings of suchpredecessors.
[1] See especially the chapter in Ethical Studies entitled “MyStation and its Duties.”
[2] See Lectures and Essays by the late Professor Wallace,especially p. 213, “Our Natural Rights,” and p. 427, “The Relation ofFichte and Hegel to Socialism.”
On this point I should like to make a brief explanation. To beginwith, it is a truism that every generation needs to be addressedin its own language; and I might even plead that th