Showing results for "Oscar Wilde" in Political Science

Dive into Oscar Wildes captivating exploration of individuality and artistic freedom in Soul of Man. Originally published as The Soul of Man Under Socialism, this work transcends conventional political analysis, presenting a vibrant manifesto advocating for the Individual. Wilde argues that socialism, by harnessing technology, liberates humanity from the shackles of soul-crushing labor, allowing the State to fade away and paving the way for a joyful, anarchic hedonism. He provocatively asks, Is this Utopian? and asserts that a world map without Utopia is incomplete, as it neglects the one ...

"The Soul of Man under Socialism" is an 1891 essay by Oscar Wilde, following his conversion to anarchist philosophy after having read the works of the philosopher Peter Kropotkin. Propounding a libertarian socialist worldview, Wilde argues that - under capitalism - most people are forced to spoil their lives through an unhealthy altruism trying to solve the social problems caused by capitalism, instead of developing their true talents. He did not object to altruism per se, but was concerned about its misapplication in a way that does not address the root of the problem.

Oscar Wilde wurde am 16.10.1854 in Dublin geboren. Sein Vater war Arzt, seine Mutter Dichterin. Wilde studierte in Dublin und Oxford. Seit 1879 lebte er in London. 1895 wurde er vom Vater seines Freundes Lord Douglas wegen homosexueller Neigungen angezeigt und zu zwei Jahren Zuchthaus verurteilt. Wilde starb am 30.11.1900 verarmt in Paris.

This essay was written in 1891 after Wilde had become enamored of concepts expressive of a liberal socialism. In his view, the aim of socialism should be "to try to reconstruct society on such a basis that poverty will be impossible". Typically, Wilde stresses the vital role played by art and the imperative significance of the artist.