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A New View of Society
Or, Essays on the Principle of the Formation of the Human Character, and the Application of the
Principle to Practice
by Robert Owen, 1813-16
FIRST ESSAY
Any general character, from the best to the worst, from the most
ignorant to the most enlightened, may be given to any community,
even to the world at large, by the application of proper means;
which means are to a great extent at the command and under the
control of those who have influence in the affairs of men.
According to the last returns under the Population Act, the poor
and working classes of Great Britain and Ireland have been found
to exceed fifteen millions of persons, or nearly three-fourths of
the population of the British Islands.
The characters of these persons are now permitted to be very
generally formed without proper guidance or direction, and, in
many cases, under circumstances which directly impel them to a
course of extreme vice and misery; thus rendering them the worst
and most dangerous subjects in the empire; while the far greater
part of the remainder of the community are educated upon the most
mistaken principles of human nature, such, indeed, as cannot fail
to produce a general conduct throughout society, totally unworthy
of the character of rational beings.
The first thus unhappily situated are the poor and the
uneducated profligate among the working classes, who are now
trained to commit crimes, for the commission of which they are
afterwards punished.
The second is the remaining mass of the population, who are
now instructed to believe, or at least to acknowledge, that
certain principles are unerringly true, and to act as though they
were grossly false; thus filling the world with folly and
inconsistency, and making society, throughout all its
ramifications, a scene of insincerity and counteraction.
In this state the world has continued to the present time;
its evils have been and are continually increasing; they cry
aloud for efficient corrective measures, which if we longer
delay, general disorder must ensue.
'But,' say those who have not deeply investigated the
subject, 'attempts to apply remedies have been often made, yet
all of them have failed. The evil is now of a magnitude not to be
controlled; the torrent is already too strong to be stemmed; and
we can only wait with fear or calm resignation to see it carry
destruction in its course, by confounding all distinctions of
right and wrong.'
Such is the language now held, and such are the general
feelings on this most important subject.
These, however, if longer suffered to continue, must lead to
the most lamentable consequences. Rather than pursue such a
course, the character of legislators would be infinitely raised,
if, forgetting the petty and humiliating contentions of sects and
parties, they would thoroughly investigate the subject, and
endeavour to arrest and overcome these mighty evils.
The chief object of these Essays is to assist and forward
investigations of such vital importance to the well-being of this
country, and of society in general.
The view of the subject which is about to be given has arisen
from extensive experience for upwards of twenty years, during
which period its truth and importance have been proved by
multiplied experiments. That the writer may not be charged with
precipitation or presumption, he has had the principle and its
consequences examined, scrutinized, and fully canvassed, by some
of the most learned, intelligent, and competent characters of the
present day: who, on every principle of duty as well as of
interest, if they had discovered error in either, would have
exposed it - but who, on the contrary, have fairly acknowledged
their incontrovertible truth and practical importance.
Assured, therefore, that his principles are true, he proceeds
with confidence, and courts the most ample and free discussion of
the subject; courts it for the sake of humanity - for the sake of
his fellow creatures millions of whom experience sufferings
which, were they to be unfolded, would compel those who govern
the world to exclaim - 'Can these things exist and we have no
knowledge of them?' but they do exist and even the heart-rending
statements which are made known to the public during the
discussions upon negro-slavery, do not exhibit more afflicting
scenes than those which, in various parts of the world, daily
arise from the injustice of society towards itself; from the
inattention of mankind to the circumstances which incessantly
surround them; and from the want of a correct knowledge of human
nature in those who govern and control the affairs of men.
If these circumstances did not exist to an extent almost
incredible, it would be unnecessary now to contend for a
principle regarding Man, which scarcely requires more than to be
fairly stated to make it self-evident.
This principle is, that 'Any general character, from the best
to the worst, from the most ignorant to the most enlightened, may
be given to any community, even to the world at large, by the
application of proper means,' which means are to a great extent
at the command and under the control of those who have influence
in the affairs of men,'
The principle as now stated is a broad one, and, if it should
be found to be true, cannot fail to five a new character to
legislative proceedings, and such a character as will be most
favourable to the well-being of society.
That this principle is true to the utmost limit of the terms,
is evident from the experience of all past ages, and from every
existing fact.
Shall misery, then, most complicated and extensive, be
experienced, from the prince to the peasant, throughout all the
nations of the world, and shall its cause and the means of its
prevention be known, and yet these means withheld? The
undertaking is replete with difficulties which can only be
overcome by those who have influence in society: who, by
foreseeing its important practical benefits, may be induced to
contend against those difficulties; and who, when its advantages
are clearly seen and strongly felt, will not suffer individual
considerations to be put in competition with their attainment. It
is true their ease and comfort may be for a time sacrificed to
those prejudices; but, if they persevere, the principles on which
this knowledge is founded must ultimately universally prevail.
In preparing the way for the introduction of these
principles, it cannot now be necessary to enter into the detail
of acts to prove that children can be trained to acquire 'any
language, sentiments, belief, or any bodily habits and manners,
not contrary to human nature'.
For that this has been done, the history of every nation of
which we have records, abundantly confirms; and that this is, and
may be again done, the facts which exist around us and throughout
all the countries in the world, prove to demonstration.
Possessing, then, the knowledge of a power so important,
which when understood is capable of being wielded with the
certainty of a law of nature, and which would gradually remove
the evils which now chiefly afflict mankind, shall we permit it
to remain dormant and useless, and suffer the plagues of society
perpetually to exist and increase?
No: the time is now arrived when the public mind of this
country, and the general state of the world, call imperatively
for the introduction of this all-pervading principle, not only in
theory, but into practice.
Nor can any human power now impede its rapid progress.
Silence will not retard its course, and opposition will give
increased celerity to its movements. The commencement of the work
will, in fact, ensure its accomplishment; henceforth all the
irritating angry passions, arising from ignorance of the true
cause of bodily and mental character, will gradually subside, and
be replaced by the most frank and conciliating confidence and
goodwill.
Nor will it be possible hereafter for comparatively a few
individuals unintentionally to occasion the rest of mankind to be
surrounded by circumstances which inevitably form such characters
as they afterwards deem it a duty and a right to punish even to
death; and that, too, while they themselves have been the
instruments of forming those characters. Such proceedings not
only create innumerable evils to the directing few, but
essentially retard them and the great mass of society from
attaining the enjoyment of a high degree of positive happiness.
Instead of punishing crimes after they have permitted the human
character to be formed so as to commit them, they will adopt the
only means which can be adopted to prevent the existence of those
crimes; means by which they may be most easily prevented.
Happily for poor traduced and degraded human nature, the
principle for which we now contend will speedily divest it of all
the ridiculous and absurd mystery with which it has been hitherto
enveloped by the ignorance of preceding times: and all the
complicated and counteracting motives for good conduct; which
have been multiplied almost to infinity, will be reduced to one
single principle of action, which, by its evident operation and
sufficiency, shall render this intricate system unnecessary: and
ultimately supersede it in all parts of the earth. That principle
is the happiness of self, clearly understood and uniformly
practised; which can only be attained by conduct that must
promote the happiness of the community.
For that power which governs and pervades the universe has,
evidently so formed man, that he must progressively pass from a
state of ignorance to intelligence, the limits of which it is not
for man himself to define; and in that progress to discover, that
his individual happiness can be increased and extended only in
proportion as he actively endeavours to increase and extend the
happiness of all around him. The principle admits neither of
exclusion nor of limitation; and such appears evidently the state
of the public mind, that it will now seize and cherish this
principle as the most precious boon which it has yet been allowed
to attain. The errors of all opposing motives will appear in
their true light, and the ignorance whence they arose will become
so glaring, that even the most unenlightened will speedily reject
them.
For this state of matters, and for all the gradual changes
contemplated, the extraordinary events of the present times have
essentially contributed to prepare the way.
Even the late Ruler of France, although immediately
influenced by the most mistaken principles of ambition, has
contributed to this happy result, by shaking to its foundation
that mass of superstition and bigotry, which on the continent of
Europe had been accumulating for ages, until it had so
overpowered and depressed the human intellect, that to attempt
improvement without its removal would have been most unavailing.
And in the next place, by carrying the mistaken selfish
principles in which mankind have been hitherto educated to the
extreme in practice, he has rendered their error manifest, and
left no doubt of the fallacy of the source whence they
originated.
These transactions, in which millions have been immolated, or
consigned to poverty and bereft of friends, will be preserved in
the records of time, and impress future ages with a just
estimation of the principles now about to be introduced into
practice; and will thus prove perpetually useful to all
succeeding generations.
For the direful effects of Napoleon's government have created
the most deep-rooted disgust at notions which could produce a
belief that such conduct was glorious, or calculated to increase
the happiness of even the individual by whom it was pursued. And
the late discoveries and proceedings of the Rev Dr Bell and Mr
Joseph Lancaster have also been preparing the way, in a manner
the most opposite, but yet not less effectual, by directing the
public attention to the beneficial effects, on the young and
unresisting mind, of even the limited education which their
systems embrace.
They have already effected enough to prove that all which is
now in contemplation respecting the training of youth may be
accomplished without fear of disappointment. And by so doing, as
the consequences of their improvements cannot be confined within
the British Isles, they will for ever be ranked among the most
important benefactors of the human race, but henceforward to
contend for any new exclusive system will be in vain: the public
mind is already too well informed, and has too far passed the
possibility of retrogression, much longer to permit the
continuance of any such evil.
For it is now obvious that such a system must be destructive
of the happiness of the excluded, by their seeing others enjoy
what they are not permitted to possess; and also that it tends,
by creating opposition from the justly injured feelings of the
excluded, in proportion to the extent of the exclusion, to
diminish the happiness even of the privileged: the former
therefore can have no rational motive for its continuance.
If, however, owing to the irrational principles by which the
world has been hitherto governed, individuals, or sects, or
parties, shall yet by their plans of exclusion attempt to retard
the amelioration of society, and prevent the introduction into
PRACTICE of that truly just spirit which knows no exclusion, such
facts shall yet be brought forward as cannot fail to render all
their efforts vain.
It will therefore be the essence of wisdom in the privileged
class to co-operate sincerely and cordially with those who desire
not to touch one iota of the supposed advantages which they now
possess; and whose first and last wish is to increase the
particular happiness of those classes, as well as the general
happiness of society. A very little reflection on the part of the
privileged will ensure this line of conduct; whence, without
domestic revolution without war or bloodshed nay, without
prematurely disturbing any thing which exists, the world will be
prepared to receive principles which are alone calculated to
build up a system of happiness, and to destroy those irritable
feelings which have so long afflicted society solely because
society has hitherto been ignorant of the true means by which the
most useful and valuable character may be formed.
This ignorance being removed, experience will soon teach us
how to form character, individually and generally, so as to give
the greatest sum of happiness to the individual and to ma
nkind.
These principles require only to be known in order to
establish themselves; the outline of our future proceedings then
becomes clear and defined, nor will they permit us henceforth to
wander from the right path. They direct that the governing powers
of all countries should establish rational plans for the
education and general formation of the characters of their
subjects. These plans must be devised to train children from
their earliest infancy in good habits of every description which
will of course prevent them from acquiring those of falsehood and
deception). They must afterwards be rationally educated, and
their labour be usefully directed. Such habits and education will
impress them with an active and ardent desire to promote the
happiness of every individual, and that without the shadow of
exceptions for sect, or party, or country, or climate. They will
also ensure, with the fewest possible exceptions, health,
strength, and vigour of body; for the happiness of man can be
erected only on the foundations of health of body and Peace of
mind.
And that health of body and peace of mind may be preserved
sound and entire, through youth and manhood, to old age, it
becomes equally necessary that the irresistible propensities
which form a part of his nature, and which now produce the
endless and ever multiplying evils with which humanity is
afflicted, should be so directed as to increase and not to
counteract his happiness.
The knowledge however thus introduced will make it evident to
the understanding, that by far the greater part of the misery
with which man is encircled may be easily dissipated and removed;
and that with mathematical precision he may be surrounded with
those circumstances which must gradually increase his happiness.
Hereafter, when the public at large shall be satisfied that
these principles can and will withstand the ordeal through which
they must inevitably pass; when they shall prove themselves true
to the clear comprehension and certain conviction of the
unenlightened as well as the learned; and when, by the
irresistible power of truth, detached from falsehood, they shall
establish themselves in the mind, no more to be removed but by
the entire annihilation of human intellect; then the consequent
practice which they direct shall be explained, and rendered easy
of adoption.
In the meantime, let no one anticipate evil, even in the
slightest degree, from these principles; they are not innoxious
only, but pregnant with consequences to be wished and desired
beyond all others by every individual in society.
Some of the best intentioned among the various classes in
society may still say, 'All this is very delightful and very
beautiful in theory. but visionaries alone expect to see it
realized.' To this remark only one reply can or ought to be made;
that these principles have been carried most successfully into
practice.
(The beneficial effects of this practice have been
experienced for, many years among a population of between two and
three thousand at New Lanark, in Scotland; at Munich, in Bavaria;
and in the Pauper Colonies, at Fredericks-oord.)
The present Essays, therefore, are not brought forward as
mere matter of speculation, to amuse the idle visionary who
thinks in his closet, and never acts in the world; but to create
universal activity, pervade society with a knowledge of its true
interests, and direct the public mind to the most important
object to which it can be directed to a national proceeding for
rationally forming the character of that immense mass of
population which is now allowed to be so formed as to fill the
world with crimes.
Shall questions of merely local and temporary interest, whose
ultimate results are calculated only to withdraw pecuniary
profits from one set of individuals and give them to others,
engage day after day the attention of politicians and ministers;
call forth petitions and delegates from the widely spread
agricultural and commercial interests of the empire and shall the
well-being of millions of the poor, half-naked, half-famished,
untaught, and untrained, hourly increasing to a most alarming
extent in these islands, not call forth one petition, one
delegate, or one rational effective legislative measure?
No! for such has been our education, that we hesitate not to
devote years and expend millions in the detection and punishment
of crimes, and in the attainment of objects whose ultimate
results are, in comparison with this, insignificancy itself: and
yet we have not moved one step in the true path to prevent
crimes, and to diminish the innumerable evils with which mankind
are now afflicted.
Are these false principles of conduct in those who govern the
world to influence mankind permanently? And if not, how, and when
is the change to commence?
These important considerations shall form the subject of the
next Essay.
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