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Cover of The Selected Works of Robert Owen

Edited by Gregory Claeys

Published: 1993
DOI: 10.4324/9781851960880
Set ISBN: 9781851960880

Set Contents

The Book of the New Moral World

Edited by
Gregory Claeys

Volume Contents

Front Matter
The Book of The New Moral World: First Part (1842) By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- Introduction
- I
  
  The Five Fundamental Facts on which the Rational System is founded
- II
  
  ‘That man is a compound being, whose character is formed of his constitution or organization at birth, and of the effects of external circumstances upon it from birth to death; such original organization and external influences continually acting and re-acting each upon the other.’
- III
  
  ‘That man is compelled by his original constitution to receive his feelings and his convictions independently of his will.’
- IV
  
  ‘That his feelings, or his convictions, or both of them united, create the motive to action called the will, which stimulates him to act, and decides his actions.’
- V
  
  ‘That the organization of no two human beings is ever precisely similar at birth, nor can art subsequently form any two individuals, from infancy to maturity, to be precisely similar.’
- VI
  
  ‘That, nevertheless, the constitution of every infant, except in case of organic disease, is capable of being formed into a very inferior, or a very superior, being, according to the qualities of the external circumstances allowed to influence that constitution from birth.’
- VII
  
  The Fundamental Laws of Human Nature, or First Principles of the Science of Man
- VIII
  
  Deductions from the preceding Facts and Laws
- IX
  
  ‘The influence of these facts and laws in forming the general character of the human race, and their effects upon society.’
- X
  
  The harmony, unity, and efficiency of this Moral Science
The Book of The New Moral World: Second Part (1842): The Principles of Society By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- The Book of the new Moral World: Second Part
- I
  
  ‘I. A knowledge of the laws of human nature, derived from demonstrable facts, which prove man to be a social being.’
- II
  
  ‘II. A practical knowledge of the best mode of producing, in abundance, the most beneficial necessaries and comforts, for the support and enjoyment of human life.’
- III
  
  ‘A practical knowledge of the best mode of distributing wealth most advantageously for all.’
- IV
  
  ‘A knowledge of the principles and practices requisite to form the new combination of circumstances by which to train the infant from birth, to become, at maturity, the most rational being that his organization and our present knowledge of the science of the influence of external circumstances over human nature, will admit.’
- V
  
  ‘A knowledge of the principles and practice by which to govern man, under these new arrangements, in the best manner, as a member of the great family of man.’
- VI
  
  ‘A knowledge of the principles and practices for uniting in one general system, in their due proportions, these separate parts of the “science of society;” to effect and secure, in the best manner for all, the greatest amount of permanent benefit and enjoyments, with the fewest disadvantages.’
The Book of the New Moral World: Third Part (1842): Conditions Requisite for Human Happiness By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- I
  
  On the universal desire for happiness in all that have life
- II
  
  Without a correct knowledge of the cause of human misery, it will be impossible to ascertain whether it can or cannot be removed by the power inherent in human nature, through its organization, or the circumstances which surround it or which may be made to surround it
- III
  
  1st. The possession of a good organization, physical, mental, and moral
- IV
  
  2nd. The power of procuring at pleasure whatever is necessary to preserve the organization in the best state of health
- V
  
  The best education, from infancy to maturity, of the physical, intellectual, and moral power of all the population
- VI
  
  The inclination and means of promoting continually the happiness of our fellow-beings
- VII
  
  The inclination and means of increasing continually our stock of knowledge
- VIII
  
  The power of enjoying the best society; and more particularly of associating at pleasure with those for whom we feel the most regard and the greatest affection
- IX
  
  The means of travelling at pleasure
- X
  
  The absence of superstition, supernatural fears, and the fear of death
- XI
  
  Full liberty of expressing our thoughts upon all subjects
- XII
  
  The utmost individual freedom of action, compatible with the permanent good of society
- XIII
  
  To have the chartacter formed for us to express the truth only upon all occasions, and to have pure charity for the feelings, thoughts and conduct, of all mankind, and a sincere good-will for every individual of the human race
- XIV
  
  To reside in a society whose laws, institutions, and arrangements, well organized and well governed, are all in unison with the laws of human nature
- XV
  
  The happiness of all that have life
The Book of the New Moral World: Fourth Part (1844): The Principles and Practice of the Rational Religion By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- The Book of the New Moral World: Fourth Part
- I
  
  ‘The religions, so called, of the world, have divided nation from nation, and man from man, from the earliest known period of history to the present. True religion must, on the contrary, unite man to man, and nation to nation, until the human race shall become as one family, united in feeling and interest, equal in education and condition according to age, and governed solely by charity and love, based on a knowledge of the sciences of human nature and of society, as explained in the first and second parts of this book. ’
- II
  
  ‘That all facts yet known to man indicate that there is an external or an internal cause of all existences, by the fact of their existence; that this all-pervading cause of motion and change in the Universe, is that Incomprehensible Power which the nations of the world have called God, Jehovah, Lord, etc, etc, etc: but that the facts are yet unknown to man which define what that hitherto Incomprehensible Power is.’
- III
  
  ‘That it is a law of nature obvious to our senses, that the internal and external character of all that have life upon the earth, is formed for them, and not by them; that, in accordance with this law, the internal and external character of man is formed for him, and not by him; and that the knowledge of this fact, with its all-important consequences, will necessarily create in every one a new, sublime, and pure spirit of charity for the convictions, feelings, and conduct of the human race, and dispose them to be kind to all that have life – seeing that this varied life is formed by the same Incomprehensible Power that has created human nature, and given man his peculiar faculties.’
- IV
  
  ‘That the knowledge of this fact, with all its important consequences, will necessarily create, in every one, a now, sublime, and pure spirit of charity, for the convictions, feelings, and conduct of the human race, and dispose them to be kind to all that have life, seeing that this varied life is formed by the same Incomprehensible Power that has created human nature and given man his peculiar faculties. ’
- V
  
  That it is man’s highest interest to acquire an accurate knowledge of those circumstances which produce evil to the human race, and of those which produce good; and to exert all his powers to remove the former from society, and to create around it the latter only
- VI
  
  That this invaluable practical knowledge can be acquired solely through an extensive search after truth, by an accurate, patient, and unprejudiced inquiry into facts, as developed by nature
- VII
  
  ‘That man can never attain to a state of superior and permanent happiness, until he shall be surrounded by those external circumstances which will train him from birth to feel pure charity and sincere affection towards the whole of his species, – to speak the truth only on all occasions, – and to regard with a merciful and kind disposition all that have life.’
- VIII
  
  ‘That such superior knowledge and feelings can never be given to man under those institutions of society which have been founded on the mistaken supposition that man forms his feelings and convictions by his will, and therefore has merit or demerit, or deserves praise or blame, or reward or punishment for them.’
- IX
  
  ‘That under institutions, formed in accordance with the Rational System of Society, this superior knowledge and these superior dispositions may be given to the whole of the human race, without chance of failure, except in case of organic disease.’
- X
  
  ‘That in consequence of this superior knowledge, and these superior dispositions, the contemplation of nature will create in every mind, feelings of high adoration, too sublime and pure to be expressed in forms or words, for that Incomprehensible Power which acts in and through all nature, everlastingly composing, decomposing, and recomposing the material of the universe; – producing the endless variety of life, of mind, and of organized form.’
- XI
  
  ‘That the practice of the Rational Religion will therefore consist in promoting, to the utmost of our power, the well-being and happiness of every man, woman, and child, without regard to their class, sect, sex, party, country, or colour; and its worship in those inexpressible feelings of wonder, admiration, and delight which, when man shall be surrounded by superior circumstances only, will naturally arise from the contemplation of the infinity of space, of the eternity of duration, of the order of the universe, and of that great and Incomprehensible Power by which the atom is moved and the aggregate of nature is governed.’
- XII
  
  ‘That the practice of Rational Religion will therefore consist in promoting, to the utmost of our power, the well-being and happiness of every man, woman, and child, without regard to their class, sect, sex, party, country, or colour; and its worship in those inexpressible feelings of wonder, admiration, and delight, which, when man shall be surrounded with superior circumstances only, will naturally arise from the contemplation of the infinity of space; of the eternity of duration; of the laws of nature; and of that Incomprehensible Power, which everlastingly composes, decomposes, and recomposes the elements of all existences, and by which the atom is moved, and the aggregate of nature is eternally governed.’
- Concluding Chapter
The Book of the New Moral World: Fifth Part (1844): The Elements of the Science of Society, or of the Social State of Man By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- I
  
  Chapter I
- II
  
  ‘On the practical knowledge of the best mode of producing, in abundance, the most beneficial necessaries and comforts, for the support and enjoyment of human life. ’
- III
  
  ‘On the practical knowledge of the best mode of distributing these productions most advantageously for all.’
- IV
  
  ‘On the knowledge of the principles and practices by which to form the new combinations for training the infant to become, at maturity, the most rational being.’
- V
  
  ‘On a knowledge of the principles and practices by which to govern man under these new arrangements, in the best manner, as a member of the great family of mankind.’
- VI
  
  ‘On the knowledge of the principles and practices for uniting in one general system, in their due proportions, these separate parts of the science of society; to effect and secure, in the best manner for all, the greatest amount of permanent benefits and enjoyments, with the fewest disadvantages.’
- VII
  
  ‘On the new classification of society, according to age and experience, and the eternal laws of humanity. ’
The Book of the New Moral World: Sixth Part (1844): General Constitution of Government and Universal Code of Laws By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- The Book of the New Moral World: Sixth Part
- I
  
  General Constitution of Government and Universal Code of Laws
- II
  
  Transition Laws, to enable society to pass gradually from man’s ignorant, unjust, and cruel laws, to the government of nature’s wise, just, and kind laws
- III
  
  Providing for and Educating the Population
- IV
  
  General Arrangements for the Population
- V
  
  Government of the Population and Duties of the Council
- VI
  
  On the Adjustment of Differences
The Book of the New Moral World: Seventh Part (1844) By Robert Owen
- Prelims
- I
  
  ‘The period for introducing the Rational System, for remodelling the character of man, and for governing the population of the earth in unity, peace, progressive improvement and happiness, is near at hand; and no human power can success-fully resist the change.’
- II
  
  ‘That the governments of the world will soon be compelled, in their own defence, to adopt this superior system, to prevent their being involved in anarchy, civil war, and ruin.’
- III
  
  ‘That this change will root up and utterly destroy the old vicious and miserable system of ignorance, poverty, individual competition and contest, and of national wars of opposition throughout the world; and will introduce, in place thereof, the Rational System of society, in which strife and wars will cease for ever, and all will be trained, from infancy, solely to promote each other’s happiness.’
- IV
  
  ‘That this system can be best commenced by convincing governments of the truth of the principles on which it is founded. There must also be a sufficient number of individuals imbued with the spirit of genuine charity, affection, and philanthropy, and instructed in the best mode of applying it to practice. They must likewise possess patience and perseverance, to overcome all the obstacles which prejudice will oppose to their progress; and, above all, they must be united, have full confidence in each other, and be directed by one heart and one mind.’
- Concluding Remark