Page:Mind (New Series) Volume 8.djvu/107

LUDWIG STEIN, Die Sociale Frage im Lichte der Philosophie. 93* of these generalisations, and if the social question is to be em- braced in its entirety it must be looked at from this point of view. When the social question is regarded in this comprehensive manner it is seen to possess an ethical and religious as well as. an economic character. The solution of the economic problem would not put an end to social unrest. Even if Fourier's dream were realised or the prediction of Siemen's that food will one day be produced in inexhaustible quantities from inorganic substances the social question will remain to torment the world if men's ethical and religious needs are still unsatisfied. In fact, the satisfaction of our animal needs will be immediately succeeded by the demand for the satisfaction of our human needs ; and to assure the material basis of existence for all will be at best an ineffective step, unless ample nourishment is also provided for the mental and moral interests of all. In the Middle Ages the Church provided successfully for the immaterial cravings of the mind and heart. In a certain degree it does so still. But modern criticism has laid an unsparing and ruthless hand on the ecclesiastical synthesis so elaborately constructed by the mediaeval world, and Dr. Stein considers it is losing its hold not only in educated circles, but also among considerable sections of the masses as a trust- worthy or acceptable conception of life and of the totality of things. " Ni Dieu ni Maitre " is an ominous watchword. It indicates religious as well as economic bewilderment. The only remedy for this formidable condition of mind and temper is, says Dr. Stein, a sound system of social philosophy. At the present time the word Socialism is beginning to exercise the same electrifying effect on the popular mind as the word Liberalism used to do- One of the objects contemporary social thinkers should aim at is to give the word Socialism a deeper and more comprehensive meaning. It should be made to mean more than mere economic- collectivism. It should be construed so as to represent the re- conciliation and harmonious co-operation of individual and col- lective interests. It should be a word of the highest ethical and religious import ; it should stand for the religious as well as the- economic ideal. In short, the significance of the word should be- heightened till it becomes a synonym for all the highest material and ideal interests of humanity. Dr. Stein attempts to show how this truly gigantic task is to b& accomplished in the third division of this book. In this division he lays down the principles of a system of social philosophy in a. series of chapters on the individual, the state, society, property law and religion. It would not be fair to Dr. Stein to attempt to summarise his position on all these important matters. Dr. Stein's view of property is not what is ordinarily understood as socialistic. He admits that property was originally held in common, and that in course of time if a more satisfactory social organisation does not arise than the present one property may again be taken possession of by the community. But he considers.