ABSTRACT
Perfectibility is a modern idea – you say – one of those that most clearly mark the distance between the ancient and modern world. It is self-evident to the degree that only a few sophists or misanthropists contradict it. It has
become common knowledge. However, perfectibility should not be confused with the possibility of perfection, as Mr. Guéroult seems to do occasionally. This conclusion is not simply playing with words; for those who understand the scope of these questions, it marks the dividing of the ways between two systems, liberalism and socialism. Socialism is, in its principle, indeed, nothing but the belief in the possible perfection of society and the effort to bring this about.
