Page:Philosophical Review Volume 4.djvu/234

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218
THE PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW.
[Vol. IV.

expense of a part of its members, who are reduced to a state of dependence upon the others. While, however, there can be no advancement without change, it does not follow that change is an end in itself. If the transformation of society takes place too rapidly, perfect organization is prevented, and the evils of social life are multiplied. Socialism, it has been suggested, will provide a remedy. If, under a socialistic system, the occupations of the people were so fixed that rearrangements of society could not take place, the existing evils would of course disappear, but social progress would be rendered impossible. Under a less rigid system changes would occur, with the same results as now. The only way to escape this would be to reward all alike, whatever might be the value of their labor. This plan, however, would have no less disastrous effects than the former. Men of animal natures, having as much means at their disposal as those of higher mental and moral development, would spend a larger part in gross forms of gratification. Moral debasement would take the place of economic hardship. A socialistic system is not desirable. The sphere for individual effort needs to be increased rather than diminished, if the ethical life of man is to reach a higher degree of perfection. But, in the more complex organization of society in the future, individualism and socialism may not be mutually exclusive. A greater range of personal liberty may be quite compatible with a larger control of business by the state. Society must provide as far as possible for the loss sustained by its members through its own transformations. Certain duties, then, are imposed upon individuals and society by the conditions of social progress. The tendency to subordinate every higher consideration to the mere quickening of competitive activity, must be discouraged. The beneficial influences of country life should be placed within the reach of all. Each nation should bear the burden of the pauperism, ignorance, and degeneracy caused by its own progress or wrong doing. It should, therefore, regulate international migration and those industries in which free competition displaces the better man by the inferior. Education should be compulsory. Tramps ought to be arrested and subjected to labor.

D. D. Hugh.