
The Soul of Man under Socialism
by Oscar Wilde
- First published
- 1891
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Soul of Man under Socialism" by Oscar Wilde is an essay published in 1891. Wilde presents a libertarian socialist vision that challenges conventional charity and capitalism. He argues that poverty prevents people from realizing their true potential and that well-meaning altruism only prolongs suffering by addressing symptoms rather than causes. Wilde advocates for a socialist society that abolishes private property, freeing individuals from material concerns to pursue creative self-development and artistic expression. He envisions socialism as a path to true individualism, not authoritarian control.
- Socialism
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1017. The Soul of Man under Socialism on Wikipedia.











