ABSTRACT
The theory of socialism (as well as its practice) has been pluralistic from the beginning. The set of values posited by the theorist was crucial in the construction of the ‘image’ of the future, which for its part defined what was to be transcended and how. In the last analysis, this set of values also shaped the whole idea of History, which has allegedly led up to this transformation. It was a matter of philosophi cal talent and ingenuity as to how closely all these elements could be fitted together by the theorist; how conclusive and coherent the philosophy of history became.
