A B C of modern socialism

Vil

THE WORKER AND THE FUNCTION

Except for a passing reference, in a previous chapter, to the person and the divinity within him, we have hitherto dealt only with the theory of function and the organisation through which it must express itself. However impressive all this may be, it literally matters nothing unless it opens the door to a richer and fuller life for the worker. Function remains an abstract thing, a concept of life, until it is actuated by human effort and conscious purpose. Forty or fifty years ago we heard a great dealindeed, far too much—of the contrast or conflict between Socialism and Individualism. Herbert Spencer, the philosopher, who ought to have known better, wasted time and argument upon it. In those eatly days I resolutely declined to be drawn into so fruitless a controversy. It was plain to me that the individual was suppressed and restricted as much in commerce and industry as under State Socialism. I was satisfied that the whole argument begged the question. Nevertheless, the problem lingered in my mind, and was a factor in driving me to attack the wage system as an enslaving system. Twenty