ABSTRACT
The doctrines of the Utopian Socialists were, in some cases, a continuation of the spirit that brought on the Erench Revolution, and in others a form of rational reaction against the excesses of the great upheaval. Since the Utopian Socialists are all French, with but one exception, the chapter briefly traces the social forces as they unfolded themselves in France. Most of the Utopian Socialists entertained the hope of a future ideal state which was really based upon past ages. Unlike the spirit of most of the other Utopians, education was restricted to the acquirement of elementary branches of knowledge, and of those practical in a material sense. The Utopian Socialists were “keenly critical, ingeniously suggestive, and contagiously enthusiastic.” But their own direct attempt at solution came to nothing. One school after another flashed into popularity, only to disappear as rapidly.
