The Soul of Man under Socialism

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The Soul of Man under Socialism is an 1891 essay by Oscar Wilde in which he expounds a libertarian socialist worldview.

In The Soul of Man, Wilde argues that, under capitalism, "the majority of people spoil their lives by an unhealthy and exaggerated altruism—are forced, indeed, so to spoil them": instead of realising their true talents, they waste their time solving the social problems caused by capitalism, without taking their common cause away. In a socialist society, people will have the possibility to realise their talents; "Socialism itself", Wilde writes, "will be of value simply because it will lead to individualism."