第7章
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  Regardedasascientificstudy,whichitrightlyclaimstobe,thisbookhastwoconsiderabledefects,oneofmanner,oneofmatter。Itsanalysisisconductedwithahalf-humorousparadeofpompousterminologyapttowearuponthetemperofthereader。Itsexaggeratedstressuponasinglestrainofpersonality,asadominantinfluenceintheformationofhabitsandthedirectionofconduct,isamoreseriousblemishinaworkofprofoundandpenetratingpower。Butforourpresentpurpose,thatofdiscoveringtheelementsofwasteinnationalconsumption,itisoffirst-rateimportance。

  Mr。Veblen\'smainlineofargumentmaybesummarisedasfollows。Inprimitivesocietywarandthechasewillbethechiefmeansbywhichmenmaysatisfythatcravingforpersonaldistinctionandimportancewhichisthemostenduringandimportunateofpsychicaldesires。Personalprocess,mainlyphysical,displayedinfightorhunt,willsecureleadershiporascendencyintriballife。Sothosetrophieswhichattestsuchprowess,theskullsorscalpsofenemies,theskinsofslainanimals,orthelivepossessionoftameanimals,willbethemosthighly-prizedformsofproperty。

  Whenthecaptureandenslavementofenemieshastakentheplaceofpromiscuousslaughter,thesizeandvarietyofhisretinueofslavesforpersonalservice,concubinage,ormerelydecorativeshow,attestthegreatnessofthewarrior-chief。

  Whentheindustrialartsaresufficientlydeveloped,slaveswillbesettoproducesuchotherformsofproperty,enlargedhousing,quantitiesofshowygarments,cultivatedfields,herdsofcattle,asaffordconspicuousevidenceofthepersonalprowessofthechief。Glory,farmorethanutilityorcomfort,continuestobethedominantmotive。

  Ascivilisationbeginstomakeway,thenotionofwhatconstitutespersonalprocessbeginstobemodified。Thoughphysicalforcemaystillremainachiefingredient,skillandcunning,wisdomincounsel,capacityforcommandandlaw-making,cometoberecognisedasalsogivingprestige。

  Asnotonlythestrongmanbyhisstrength,butthecunningmanbyhiscunning,cangetthatwealthorpropertywhicharetheinsigniaofprowess,propertywillhoweverstillbevaluedbyitsownermainlyfortheprestigeitaffordshimamonghisfellows。Itwillstillforthemostparttakeshapeinexternalformsofadornmentormagnificence。Asitdevelopsintotheculminatingformoftheorientalcourt,theelementofdisplaywillremaintheparamountconsideration,towhicheventhesense-enjoymentsoftheownerwillbesecondary。

  Theeffectofthisearlylinkingofpropertytopersonalprowesswillbethatinthegeneralmindofmanthepossessionofpropertyishonorific。

  Itsecuresforitsownerapresumptionofpersonalgreatness。Therefore,itspossessionmustbekeptinfullandconstantevidence,especiallywhereinheritancedestroysthedirectpresumptionofthepersonalprowessoftheactualowner。Hencethetwoessentialfeaturesofthemodeoflivingofthedominantclassorcaste,ostentatiouswasteandconspicuousleisure。

  Forthustheprestigeofpropertyisbestenforced。Gorgeouspalaceswithluxuriousgrounds,magnificentbanquetsandentertainments,extravagantrefinementsofsensualluxury,adornmentsoffabrics,jewelsandarticlesoflaboriousskill,magnificenttombsandothermonuments——theelaborateparadeofwaste,inordertofastenonthecommonimaginationthesenseofwonderandofadmirationofthepersonwhocouldaffordsolavishawaste!Thefamilyoftherichmanischieflyvaluedasaninstrumentformakingthisdisplayeffective。Hiswifeorwivesmustdonowork,notevencopyhisparasiticactivities;theymuststandasopenmonumentsofconspicuousleisure,theirpersonaladornments,theirretinuesofservants,theentireelaborateritualoftheirfutilelives,mustbedevotedtoshowinghowmuchtheirpossessorcanaffordtocaste。Suchwasthelifeofthearistocracyinoldenandmedievaldays!

  Ithaspassedinmostessentials,bytraditionandimitation,tothelifeoftheupperclassinmoderncivilisednations。Themodesandconceptionsofpersonalprowessandprestigehaveindeedshifted。Themanofbusinesshasdethronedthewarriororthepoliticalchieftain。Thetypicalgreatmanofourtimeisthegreatentrepreneur,thefinancierwhodirectstheflowofcapitalandrulespricesonchange,therailwayorshippingmagnatewhoplansacombine,theableandastutemerchant,whocontrolsamarket,themanufacturerwhoconductsagreatproductivebusiness,theorganiserofasuccessfuldepartmentalstore。Thepersonalqualitiesandactivitiesinvolvedinthesetasksareverydifferentfromthosepossessedbybarbarianchieftainsororientaldespots。

  Addtosuchmenthesurvivinglandedaristocracyofrentreceivers,andaconsiderablenumberoffamiliesthatliveondividends,takingnorealpartintheadministrationofindustry,andwehaveasynopsisoftheclasswhichtodaywieldsprestige。Thoughtheelaborationofmodernartsofpleasuredirectsagreatpartoftheexpenditureofthis,ourupperclass,thetraditionalhabitsofostentatiouswasteandconspicuousleisureasmodesofgloryarestillparamountmotives。Mostrichpeoplevaluericheslessforthepleasurestheyaffordthanforthesocialconsideration,thepersonaldistinction,theyprocure。Thecravingtorealisesuperiorityoverothers,asattestedbytheirservilityorimitation,thepowerofmoneytomakeothersdoyourwill,thesenseoffreedomtorealiseeverypassingcaprice,theseremainthechiefvalueofriches,andmouldthevaluationsoflifeforthebulkofthewell-to-do。

  Sucharetheinevitableeffectsofeasily-gottenandexcessivewealthuponthepossessors。Sofarastheyoperate,theyinducefutileextravaganceinexpenditure。Insteadofmakingforutility,theymakefordisutilityofconsumption。Suchisthegistofthisanalysisoftheleisuredlife。

  §11。Expenditurewhichistobeeffectivelyostentatious,soastoimpressitsmagnificenceuponthelargestnumberofotherpeople,cannotbedirectedtothesatisfactionofarealpersonalwant,evenabadwant。

  Futilityisofitsessence。Theverytypeofthisexpenditureisadisplayoffireworks:thereisnootherwayofconsumingsolargeaquantityofwealthinsoshortatimewithsuchsensationalpublicityandwithnoenduringeffectwhatever。Thisprivateextravagancemayperhapsbeparalleledinpublicexpenditurebythesquanderingofmillionsuponwar-shipswhicharenotneeded,willneverbeused,andwillbeobsoletewithinafewyearsoftheirconstruction。

  Thedefectswhicheverysanesocialcriticfindsinthemodesoflivingoftherich,theirfrivolity,trivialityandfutility,areillustrationsofMr。Veblen\'sthesis。Perhapsthelargestcomplexofformsoffutilewaste,wasteofmoneyandoftime,iscontainedintheperformanceofwhat,withcuriousaptnessofphrase,aretermed\'socialduties\',theidleroundofvisits,entertainmentsandfunctionswhichconstitutesthe\'societylife\'。Ispeakoftheaptnessoftheterm\'socialduties\'。Thisisnoparadox,butmerelythefinestinstanceofthatperversionofvaluesandvaluationswhichisinherentinthesituation。Foritisessentialtotheaccuracyofthisanalysisthattherichmembersofsocietyshouldregardtheirmostfutileactivitiesas\'duties\',andtheirsmallsectionofhumanityas\'society\'。

  Oftheexpenditurewhichislaidoutonthesatisfactionofmaterialwants,thewasteordisutilitywilloftenbeconsiderable。ButNatureisstrongenoughtoenforcesomesenseandmoderationinthesatisfactionofprimaryorganicdesires。While,therefore,thereismuchluxuryandwasteinthematerialstandardofcomfortoftherich,wedoquitewrongtofindinfoodandclothingandothermaterialconsumptionourchiefinstancesofluxuryandwaste。Itisinthenon-materialexpenditurethattheproportionofwasteordisutilityislargest。Thegreatmorallaw,corruptiooptimipessima,requiresthatthisbeso。Ifweseekthelargestsourcesofinjuriouswasteinthestandardofthewell-to-doclasses,weshallfindthemintheexpenditureuponrecreation,educationandcharity。

  NOTES:

  1。OnthesideofConsumptionasofProductionaprogressivesocietythathasnotabandoneditselftoexcessiverationalismwillrecognisethedesirabilityofkeepingascopefor\'bonnechance\'and\'hazard\'。CfTarde。

  I。,p。130。

  2。Thoughtheterm\'conventional\'appearsformallytoprecludetheplayofindividualtasteorjudgment,itisinfactonlyinsuchexpendituresthatthesequalitiesobtainscopeforexpression。Forthoughconventionprescribesthegeneralmodeofsuchexpenditure,itleavesafarlargerscopeforpersonalchoiceandcapriciousvariationthaninthemorenecessaryelementsofexpenditure。CHAPTERXI:SPORT,CULTUREAND

  CHARITY

  §1。Itisnomerechancethatmakessportthespecialfieldfortheattainmentanddisplayofpersonalprestigeamongthewell-to-doclasses。

  Primitivemaninhisearlystruggleforlifehadtoputallhispowersofbodyandmind,allhisstrengthandcunning,intothequick,sure,anddistantdiscoveryofbeastsorothermenwhowoulddestroyhim。Hemustpursueandkillthem,orsuccessfullyavoidthem。Hemustseekoutanimalorvegetablefoods,trackingthembysignsandsnares,rapidoffoot,keenofeyeandscent,quick,strong,andaccurateofgrasp。Torunandspring,toclimbandswimandstrikeandthrowwerenecessaryhumanaccomplishments。

  Theyhadahighsurvivalvalue。Naturehadtoevolveandmaintainamanwhohadthecapacitytodothesethingswell,andwhowaswillingtoundergothenecessarytoilandpainofacquiringandexercisingtheseartsandcrafts。Toride,toshoot,tomanageboats,wereoccupationsofprimeutility。

  Successfulmatingwasalsonecessaryforsurvival,andsotheartsofcourtship,dancing,music,decoration,andvariousdisplaysofgraceandvigourwereevolved。Thesimpleactivitiesthatwereelaboratedintotheseartsofhunting,fighting,mating,wereinstinctive,andstrongfeelingsofpleasurewereattachedtothem,asNature\'slure。Whenreason,orconsciouscunning,cametocooperatewithinstinct,complicatingandrefiningtheusefularts,thespecificpleasuresofinstinctivesatisfactionwereaccompaniedbyageneralsenseofpersonalelationorpride。Now,inman,asinotheranimals,practicewasneededforthesuccessfulperformanceoftheseusefulactivities。Thispracticetakestheformofplay,amoreorlessrealisticsimulationofthepracticesoffighting,hunting,courtship,inwhich,however,considerablescopeexistsforvariationsandsurprises,thesurvivalvalueofwhichisreal,thoughindirect。Sincetheseformsofplayappealtoandexercisethesameactivitiesasareinvolvedintheseriousaffairsoflife,thesamesortsofsatisfactionareattachedtothem。Thenaturalmeaningofplayisthatitisapreparationforwork,i。e。,forthearduous,painful,andoftendangeroustasksinvolvedin\'thestruggleoflife,\'

  andthepleasureofplayistheinducementtotheacquisitionofthisusefulskill。

  §2。Ifthisbeso,itmaybepossibleforsomementosuckthepleasurefromtheplaywithoutperformingtheusefulworkforwhichitisapreparation。Theplayinstinctscanbemadetoyieldadesirablelifeofinterestandpleasuretoanyclassofmenwhoareenabledtogetotherstoperformtheirshareofusefulwork,andthustoprovidethemwiththetime,energyandmaterialmeansfortheelaborationoftheplaysideoflife。Suchisthephysicalexplanationofthesportsman。TheplaywhichNaturedesignedasmeanstolife,hetakesasanend,andlives\'asportinglife\'。Someofhissportsbearonthesurfacefewsignsofbiologicalplayaboutthem。Themanualandmentaldexterityofsuchindoorgamesasbridgeandbilliards,appearquiteunrelatedtothearduouspursuitsofmountaineeringorbig-gamehunting。Betweenthesetwoliethegreatmajorityofactivesports,suchasshooting,racing,andthevariousgamesofball。

  Noonewhoanalysescarefullythefeelingsofpleasuregotfromaboundaryhit,arunwiththeball,aneck-to-neckrace,oranyotherathleticachievement,candoubttheirnature。

  Fighting,hunting,fishing,climbing,exploring,reducedtosports,containjustasmuch\'realism\'asisneededtoevokethepleasurableexcitementwhichsustainedtheseskilfuleffortswhentheybelongedtothestruggleforlife。Someoftheimitationsmaybesoclosetorealityastorecallinalmostitsfullintensitytheprimalthrill,asintiger-stalking,inboxing,orrockclimbing。Inball-gamesthefictitiouscircumstancescallformoreimagination,thoughthepleasureoftheactualstrokeischieflyaracememoryofablowstruckatanenemyorofablowwardedoff。Noonecandoubtthenatureofthefiercepleasureofthefootballscrimmagewithitsmortalmake-believe。

  Althoughinmanysportssomeelementofphysicalriskisneededtosustaintherealism,itisusuallyreducedtotriflingdimensions。Thisisalsotrueofthepainfulenduranceincidentaltotheprimitivestruggle。

  Themodernsportsmanorexplorercommonlydeviseswaysofeconomisingbothhispersonalriskandhispersonaleffort。Beatersfindtheanimalorbirdforhimtoshoot;nativeportersandguidescarryfoodforhim,andeasehispath。Hisobjectistosecurethemaximumpleasureofachievementwiththeminimumriskandeffort。Perhapsthemosthighly-elaboratedexampleistheplayfulrevivalofthemigratoryandexploringinstincts,fromthepicnictotheworld-tour,withthecomplexapparatusofpleasure-travelwhichoccupiessolargeapartinthelifeofthewell-to-doclasses。Theluxuriouslifeoftravelinwhichthemotor-car,thetraindeluxe,ortheyachtcarriesmenandwomenfromthegorgeoushotelofonebeautyspottothatofanother,ismadepleasurableortolerablebywakingupthedimshadowofsomewanderingancestor,whosehuntingorpastoralhabitsrequiredsomesatisfactiontoevokethelife-preservingeffort。Camping-outandcaravanningaresomewhatmorerealisticreproductions,bringinginmoreofthegregariousorcorporateinstinctofthetribe。

  Howsubtlearetheartificesbywhichhumancunningseekstoexploitthepastisbestillustrated,however,inthepurelyspectatorialorsympatheticsurroundingsofsport。Toplayfootballisoneremovefrombattle,towatchthegameistworemoves,towatchthe\"tape\"orfollowthescoresinthenewspapersisthreeremoves。Yetmillionsoflittlethrillsofsatisfactionaregotfromthissimulationofasimulatedfight。Blendedinvariousdegreeswithotherzests,ofhazard,ofpettycunning,andavarice,wherebettingentersintosport,thesportinginterestrankshighestofallinthescaleofvaluesamongtheable-bodiedmalesofallclassesinEnglish-speakingpeoples。

  Addedtothepleasurefromtheoutputofstrengthorskillinsportisthegeneralsentimentofexultation,thesenseofglory。Towhatmustthatbeattributed?Nottothemagnitudeofthestrengthorskill。Anavvymaydisplaygreaterstrengthorenduranceinhiswork,atrapperoracommonfishermanafinerskillincatchinghisprey。Butthetruegloryofsportsmanshipisdeniedthem。Why?Becausetheirworkisuseful,andtheyaredoingitforaliving。Thegloryofthesuccessfulsportsmanisduetothefactthathisdeedsarefutile。Andthisconspicuousfutilityisattherootofthematter。Thefactthathecangivetime,energy,andmoneytosporttestifiestohispossessionofindependentmeans。Hecanaffordtobeanidler,andthemoreobviouslyuselessandexpensivethesport,thehighertheprestigeattachingtoit。

  Hispersonalgloryofstrength,endurance,orskillissetinthisaureoleofparasitism。Thecrucialtestofthisinterpretationisverysimple。LetitturnoutthataMarathonwinner,whoseemedtobeagentleman,wasreallyaprofessional,whatadropinhispersonalprestige!Theprofessionalisamanwhohastoearnaliving,hisreputationasasportsmanisdamagedbythatfact。Cantherebeanymoreconvincingproofthatthehighprestigeofsportisduetotheevidenceoffinancialprowesswhichitaffords?

  Thehuntingandthefightinginstinctsevidentlyunderliethepleasureofnearlyalltheexclusivelymalesports。Doubtlessotherinstinctivesatisfactionsenterin,suchasthegregariousinstinctwithitsconsciouselaborationofespritdecorps。Wheneveranygameorsportbringsthesexesintorelationwithoneanother,thematinginstinctsareevidentlyinvolved。

  Thecrossingofwarwithsexinthetheoryandpracticeofchivalrywasaconsciousandartisticblendingofthesepleasuremotives。

  Butthistreatmentofsportasafrivolouspursuitofpleasureignoresoneimportantaspect。Sport,itwillbeurged,afterallhashealthforitspermanentutility。Itisexerciseforthebodyanddiversionforthemind。Itwardsoffthenaturalconsequencesofthepurelyparasiticlife,whichaprivateincomerenderspossible,byprovidingwork-substitutes。

  Theprimallaw,\'inthesweatofthyfaceshaltthoueatbread,\'isgracefullyevadedbygamesthatincludeagentleperspiration。Golfmaytaketheplaceofspade-labourtowinappetiteanddigestion;bridgewillsavethebrainfromabsolutestagnation。SoNature\'sself-protectivecunningelaboratesthesemodesofsham-work。

  §3。Thesocialcondemnationofasporting-lifeistwo-fold。Inthefirstplace,itdivertsintolowerformsofactivitythezestsandinterestsintendedtopromotealifeofworkandart。Thesporting-lifeandstandardschokethefinerarts。Thesportsmanandthegamesterarebaserartistschoosingthelowerinsteadofthehighermodesofself-realisationinmanualandintellectualskill。Thismaintenanceofbarbarianstandardsofvaluesbytheclassespossessingsocialprestigeisagreatobstacletothedevelopmentofscience,art,andliterature。Inthesecondplace,sportspoilsthespontaneityandlibertyofplay,whichisanecessityofeveryhealthylife。Itspoilsitforthesportsmanbyreasonofitsartificialityanditsexcess。Forthesporting-lifedoesnotsatisfythosewhopractiseit。ItcarriestheNemesisofboredom。Thesenseoftrivialityandoffutilitygraduallyeatsthrough,andthemake-believerealism,whenconfrontedwiththeseriousvaluesoflife,showsitsemptiness。

  Aheaviersocialdamageistheeconomiccostwhichtheexpensivefutilityimposes。

  Forsportinvolvesthelargestdiversionofunearnedincomeintounproductiveexpenditure。Notonlydoesitdedicatetoextravagantwastealargershareoftheland,thelabour,andtheenterpriseofmenthananyotherhumanerror,unlessitbewaritself,butitstealstheplay-timeofthemanytomaketheover-leisureofthefew。Iftheparasiticpowerwhichsustainsthesporting-lifeweretakenaway,theworldwouldnotbedullerormoreserious。Onthecontrary,playwouldbemoreabundant,freer,morevaried,andlessartificialinitsmodes。

  Theidentificationofasportsmanwithagentlemanhascarriedgreatweightintheunconscioussettlingofsocialvalues,andinEnglandhasbeensubtlyserviceableasasentimentalsafeguardagainsttheattacksupontheeconomicsupportsnotonlyoflandlordismbutofotherwealthwhichhascovereditselfwiththetrappingsofsport。

  Therelativeprestigeofotheroccupationsisdeterminedtoaconsiderableextentbytheirassociationwiththesporting-lifeorwiththeoriginalactivitieswhichsportreproduces。Notonlytheidlelandowner,buttheyeoman,andinalessdegreethetenantfarmer,enjoyasocialconsiderationbeyondthemeasureoftheirpecuniarystanding,byvirtueoftheopportunitiesforhuntingandothersportwhichtheyenjoy。Partofthereputationofthemilitaryandthenavalservicesisexplainedbythesurvivalofthebarbarianfeelingthatalifeofhazardandrapinecontainsfineropportunitiesforphysicalprowessthanalifeofproductiveactivity。Thoughagooddealofthisprestigebelongstothegloryof\'command\'andextendseventoagreatemployeroflabour,theglamourofthesoldier\'s,hunter\'s,sportsman\'slifehangsinalessdegreeaboutallwhoseoccupations,howeverservile,keeptheminclosecontactwiththesebarbarianactivities。A

  publican,aprofessionalcricketer,astud-groom,agamekeeper,enjoyamongtheircompanionsadignityderivedfromtheirassociationwiththesporting-life。

  §4。Ifphysicalrecreationsthuscarryprestige,soinalessdegreeandincertaingradesofsocietydointellectualrecreations。Onceasportsmanalonehadaclaimtoberegardedasagentleman。Onlyincomparativelymoderntimesdidtheassociationof\'ascholarandagentleman\'seemplausible。

  Evennowprowessofthemindcanseldomcompeteinglorywithprowessofthebody。Thevaluationofachievementscurrentinourpublic-schoolspersists,thoughwithsomeabatement,amongallsortsandconditionsofmen。Butasmentalskillbecomesmoreandmorethemeansofattainingthatfinancialpowerwhichisthemoderninstrumentofpersonalglory,itrisesinsocialesteem。Asmanners,address,mentalabilityandknowledgemoreandmoredeterminepersonalsuccess,intellectualstudiesbecomeincreasinglyreputable。

  Itmightappearatthefirstsightthatthehighestreputationwouldattachtothoseabilitiesandstudieswhichhadthehighestmediateutilityformoney-making。Butherethebarbarianstandardretainsadeflectinginfluence。Topossessmoneywhichyouhavenotmadestillcontinuestobefarmorehonorificthantomakemoney。Formoney-making,unlessitbebylootorgambling,involvesaddictiontoabusinesslifeinsteadofthelifeofaleisuredgentleman。Soitcomestopassthatstudiesarevaluedmorehighlyasdecorativeaccomplishmentsthanasutilities。Amanwhocanhaveaffordedtoexpendlongyearsinacquiringskillorknowledgewhichhasnopracticaluse,therebyannouncesmostdramaticallyhispossession,orhisfather\'spossession,ofanincomeenablinghimtoleadthelifeofanindependentgentleman。Thescaleofculture-valuesislargelydirectedbythisconsideration。Thusnotonlythechoiceofsubjectsbutthemodeoftreatmentintheeducationofthechildrenofthewell-to-dois,generallyspeaking,ininverseratiototheirpresumedutility。Theplaceofhonouraccordedtodeadlanguagesis,ofcourse,themostpatentexample。GreatasthemeritsofGreekandLatinmaybeforpurposesofintellectualandemotionaltraining,theirpredominanceisnotmainlydeterminedbytheirmerits,butbythetraditionalreputewhichhasmadethemthechoseninstrumentsforaparadeof\'useless\'culture。

  Thoughsomeattemptismadeinrecenttimestoextractfromtheteachingofthe\'classics\'thefinerqualitiesofthe\'humanities\'whichtheycontain,thishasinvolvedarevoltagainstthepure\'scholarship\'whichsoughttoexcludeevensuchrefinedutilitiesandtoconfinethestudyoftheclassicstoagraceful,skilfulhandlingoflinguisticformsandapurelysuperficialtreatmentofthethoughtandknowledgecontainedinthechosenliterature。Itissignificantthatevento-day\'culture\'primarilycontinuestoimplyknowledgeoflanguagesandliteratureasaccomplishments,andthat,thoughmathematicsandnaturalsciencesentermorelargelyintotheacademiccurriculum,theycontinuetoranklowerasstudiesintheeducationofourwealthyclasses。

  MostconvincinginitstestimonytotheformationofintellectualvaluesisthetreatmentofhistoryandmodernEnglishliterature。Althoughforallpurposesofcultureandutility,itmighthavebeensupposedthatthestudyofthethought,art,andeventsofourownnationandourowntimes,wouldbeofprimeimportance,virtuallynoplaceisgiventothesesubjects。

  Historyandliterature,sofarastheyfigureatall,aretreatednotinrelationtothelifeoftoday,butasdeadmatter。Othersubjectsofstrictlyvitalutility,suchasphysiologyandhygiene,psychologyandsociology,findnoplacewhateverinthegeneraleducationofourschoolsanduniversities,occupyingatimidpositionas\'special\'subjectsincertainprofessionalcourses。

  Pedagoguessometimespretendthatthisexclusionof\'utility\'testsforthesubjectsandthetreatmentinoursystemofeducationrestsuponsoundeducationalprinciples,inthat,ignoringtheshort-rangeutilitieswhichacommercialorother\'practical\'trainingdesiderates,theycontributetoadeeperandapurertrainingoftheintellectualfaculties。Buthavingregardtothepartplayedbytraditionandecclesiasticalauthorityintheestablishmentofpresent-dayeducationalsystems,itcannotbeadmittedthattheyhavemadeaseriouscasefortheappraisementofstudiesaccordingtotheirhumanvalues。Probablyourhighereducation,properlytested,wouldbefoundtocontainafarlargerwasteofintellectual\'efficiency\'

  thanourfactorysystemofeconomicefficiency。Andthiswasteisprimarilyduetotheacceptanceandsurvivalofbarbarianstandardsofculture,imperfectlyadjustedtothemodernconditionsoflife,andchieflysustainedbythedesiretoemploythemindfordecorativeandrecreative,ratherthanforproductiveorcreativepurposes。Art,literatureandsciencesufferimmeasurablelossesfromthismisgovernmentofintellectuallife。

  Thenetresultisthatthevastmajorityofthesonsanddaughtersevenofourwell-to-doclassesgrowupwithanexceedinglyfaultyequipmentofusefulknowledge,notrainedabilitytousetheirintellectsorjudgmentsfreelyandeffectively,andwithnostrongdesiretoattempttodoso。Theythusremainorbecomethedupesofshallowtraditions,orequallyshallownovelties,undertheguiseofscientific,philosophic,economicorpoliticalprincipleswhichtheyhaveneithertheenergyofmindnorthedesiretotest,butwhichtheypermittodirecttheirlivesandconductinmattersofsupremeimportancetothemselvesandothers。

  Aseducationiscomingtotakealargerplaceasanorganisedoccupation,andmoretime,moneyandenergyareclaimedforit,thenecessityofarevaluationofintellectualvaluesonasanebasisofhumanismbecomesmoreexigentthanever。Forthereisadangerofanewbastardculturespringingup,theproductofablendingofthebarbarianculture,descendingbyimitationoftheupperclasses,withatoonarrowlyutilitarianstandardimprovisedtoconvertworking-classchildrenintocheapclerksandshopmen。

  Ourhigh-schoolsandlocaluniversitiesarealreadyvictimstothismésalliancebetween\'culture\'and\'business\',andthetreatmentofnotafewstudies,historyandeconomicsinparticular,issubjecttonovelrisks。

  §5。Dilettantismistheintellectualequivalentofsport。Whatisthemoralequivalent?Thesporting-lifehasanethicsofitsown,theessenceofwhichliesineschewingobligationswithlegalorothercompulsoryexternalsanctions,infavourofavoluntarycodeembodyingthemutualfeelingsofmembersofasuperiorcaste。Inanaristocracyoftruesportsmenhonestyandsexual\'morality\'aredespisedasbourgeoisvirtues,whilejusticeistoocompulsoryandtooequalitarianforacceptance。Honourtakestheplaceofhonesty,goodformofmorals,fair-playandcharityofjustice。

  Itisthecodeofthebarbariansupermanorchieftain,qualified,softenedandcomplicatedtosuittheconditionsofthemodernplay-life。Courageandendurance,fidelity,generosityandmercyarehisvirtues:temperance,modesty,humility,gratitude,havenoproperplaceinsuchacode,whichisindeedbaseduponafreeexerciseofthephysicalfunctionsforpersonalpleasureandglory。

  Thehazardbelongingtoasportinglifemakesforsuperstition。Nobodyismorecrudelysuperstitiousthanthegambler,andeverybodytowhomlifeisprimarilyagameconceivesofitasproceedingbyruleswhichmaybeevadedortamperedwith。Thisaspectofthesportingcharactergavethepriestlycasteitschiefopportunitytogetpower。Sopietismwasgraftedonthesportsmanandthefighting-man,andreligionkeptaholdontherulingandpossessingclasses,adaptingitsmoralteachingtohiscase。

  ThewidedivergenceofBritishChristianityfromtheteachingofthegospelsfindsitschiefexplanationinthisnecessityofadaptation。Itsdoctrinesanditsdisciplinehadtobemouldedsoastofitthecharacterandconductofpowerfulmen,whonotonlywouldrepudiateitsinnerspiritualteaching,butwhoselust,pride,crueltyandtreachery,thenaturaloutcomeoftheiranimallife,wereconstantlyleadingthemtoviolatetheverycodeofhonourtheyprofessed。Asindustryandproperty,peaceandorder,becamemoresettledandwide-spread,therecameupfrombelowapowerfulcommercialclass,whoseeconomicandsocialrequirementsevolvedamoralityinwhichtheso-calledpuritanvirtuesofindustry,thrift,honesty,temperance,sexualpurity,prevailed,andaChristianitydesignedprimarilytoevokeandtosustainthem。

  Justastheintellectualcultureofthearistocracycametoclashwiththeutilitarianeducationofthebourgeoisandtoproducetheconfusingcompromisewhichatpresentprevails,sowiththedifferingethicsofthesametwoclasses。Theincursionofthewealthytradesmaninto\'highlife\'andofthelandedgentryintothe\'city\'hasvisiblybrokendowntheolderstandardsbothofmoralsandofmanners。Theprestigeofthesportingvirtueshasplayedhavocwiththesimplicityandausterityofthepuritanmoralsandcreeds,thoughitmayfairlybemaintainedthatthesanerutilitiesofthelatterhavetemperedtoaperceptibledegreethemoralsandmannersofthesportsman。Luxuriesandfrivolitiesofamorevariedorderhavelargelydisplacedtheoldersporting-life,introducingintoitsomeelementsofmoreintellectualskillandinterest,thoughitremainsprimarilydevotedtothepursuitofpleasurablesensuousfutilities。

  But,thoughthemodesoftheleisurelifeareshifting,thedefinitelyparasiticattitudeandcareerwhichitembodiesremainunchanged。Thesenseofjusticeandofhumanityamongitsmembersisasdefectiveasever。Thistruthissometimesconcealedbythechangeinsocialareasthatistakingplace。Classhonourandcomradeshiphaveasomewhatwiderscopeastherangeofeffectiveintercourseexpands,andclasseswhichformerlywerewideapartcomepartiallytofusewithoneanother,orarebroughtwithintherangeofsympathy,asregardstheirmoresympatheticmembers。SointercourseuponafairlyequalbasiscantakeplaceinsuchacountryasEnglandbetweenmostpersonswhohavereachedacertainlevelofrefinementofliving。

  Thiscertainlyimpliessometransfusionofmoralstandards,theunionofcommonsentimentsregardingindustryandpropertywiththedownwardspreadofamodifiedconceptionofasportinglife。Indeed,imitationhasgoneacertainwaytowardsinfectingallthestablergradesoftheworking-classeswiththisblendofbarbarianandpuritanvaluations。Whilethelargerpecuniarymeansandleisurewhichtheypossesshasintroducedintotheirstandardoflifesportinghabitslargelyimitativeofthefullyleisuredaristocracy,ithasimplantedhabitsof\'respectability\'asthecontributionofthebourgeoistypeimmediatelyabovetheminthesocialscale。

  §6。Butwhenwedipdownbelowthebourgeoisandtheregularworking-classeswhichhehasdrilledinindustry,wefindalowerleisureclasswhosevaluationsandwaysoflivingformamostinstructiveparodyoftheupperleisureclass。Bothincountryandtownlifethesetypesappear。Theyinclude\'gypsies\',tramps,poachersandothervagabonds,whohaveneverbeenenlistedinthearmyofindustry,orhavedesertedinfavourofa\'free\'lifeofhazard,beggaryandplunder。Intownsnaturalproclivitiesormisfortuneaccountforconsiderablegroupsofcasualworkers,professionaloramateurthievesandprostitutes,street-sellers,corner-men,kepthusbands,andotherparasiteswhoareaburdenontheworking-classes。Alikeincountryandintown,thesemenpractise,sofarascircumstancesallow,thesamehabitsandexhibitthesamecharacterastheleisureclassatthetop。Thefighting,sporting,roving,generous,reckless,wastefultraitsarealldiscernible,thesameunaffectedcontemptfortheworker,thesameclasscamaraderie,oftenwithaspecialcodeofhonour,thesamesexlicenseandjovialityofmanners。Eventheirintelligenceandhumour,theirverymodesofspeech,arethehalf-imitative,half-originalreplicaofhighlifeasitshowsintherace-course,intheclubsmoke-room,ortheflashmusichall。Oftentheparasitesandhangers-ontoupper-classsportsandrecreations,theseformalargeandgrowingclassofourpopulation,andtheirwithdrawalfromallindustrythatcanbetermedproductive,coupledwiththedebasedmodeofconsumptionwhichtheypractise,countheavilyintheaggregateofsocialwaste。

  §7。Astheopportunitiesofleisureandofsomesurplusincomebeyondthecurrentacceptedstandardofclasscomfortbecomemoregeneral,thissympatheticimitationofrecreations,educationandmorals,undoubtedlymakesforanationalstandardisationoflife,thoughtheenormousdiscrepanciesineconomicresourcesgreatlylimittheefficacyofsuchatendencytounity。Buttheapparentgaininhumanitythussuggestedislargelycounterworkedbythestrongersenseofnationalandespeciallyofracialcleavagewhichhascomewithmodernworldintercourse。Ifclassbarriersofconduct,educationandfeelingaresomewhatweakeningintheforemostEuropeannations,aclearerandintenserrealisationofnationalandracialbarrierstakestheirplace。Everymodificationofclassexclusiveness,andofeconomicplunder,uponthesmallerscale,iscompensatedbythiswiderracialexclusiveness,withitsaccompanyingparasitism。

  ThecivilisedWesternworldiscomingmoreconsciouslytomoulditspracticalpolicy,politicalandeconomic,anditssentimentsandtheories,uponawhiteexploitationofthelowerandthebackwardpeoples。Imperialismisdisplacing,oratpresentiscrossing,classsupremacy,andisevolvinganintellectualismandamoralsaccommodatedtotheneedsofthisnewsocialcleavage。ItismovingtowardsanotdistantepochinwhichWesternwhitenationsmay,asregardstheirmeansoflivelihood,bemainlydependentuponthelabourofregimentedlowerpeoplesinvariousdistantportionsoftheglobe,allormostmembersofthedominantpeoplesenjoyingalifeofcomparativepleasureandleisureandacollectivesenseofpersonalsuperiorityastherulersoftheearth。

  Thatstandardsofrecreation,educationandmorals,thusformedandtransformed,arelikelytocontainenormous\'wastes\'intheirdirectandindirectbearinguponeconomiclife,isobvious。Howfarthiswasteistobeimputedtoimitationoftheprestige-possessinghabitsof\'theleisuredclass\',howfarto\'originalsin\'ortheerrorsorexcessesnaturaltoallsortsandconditionsofmen,itisnotpossibletoascertain。Butitwillbeevidentthatinthesehighersatisfactions,towhichanincreasing\'surplus\'ofwealth,leisureandenergycanbedevoted,willbefoundthelargestwastes。Fortheconventionalexpenditureembeddedinthesestrataofthevariousclassstandardswillbelargelydirectedbymotiveswhichareverylooselyrelatedtoanyrealstandardoforganicwelfare。Oneneednotexaggeratethisexpenditureoftimeormoney,ordeemitwhollyunproductive。

  Itmayevenbeconcededthatfewofthepursuitsofpleasurearewhollydestituteofbenefit,norareprestigeandtheimitationitengenderswhollyvalueless。Butsuchpracticescontainmuchthatisobsolete,incongruousorindigestible,muchthatisactivelyinjurious,bothtotheindividualandtosociety。Regardedfromthestandpointofpecuniaryexpenditure,themisdirectionofthesurplusincomeintoemptyordepravedmodesofrecreation,culture,religionandcharityisthelargestofalleconomicwastes。Coulditbesetforthinveraciousaccounts,itsenormitywouldimpressallreflectiveminds。Howsmallthetotalyieldofhumanwelfareorevenofcurrentpleasurablesatisfactionfromtheidletravel,racing,hunting,motoring,golfing,yachting,bettingandgambling,incomparisonwiththehumangainfromtheworkandartsofwhichtheyarethefutilesubstitutes!Considerthedamagetoagriculture,thesheerlossofhumanenergy,theselfishness,sensualityandbrutalityincidentaltomanysports,theempty-mindedness,obtusenessofintelligenceandinsensatepride,theshuttingofthesensesandtheemotionstomostofthefinerandnoblerscenesinthespectacleofnatureandthedramaofhumanity,thatarethenaturalandnecessaryconsequencesof\'asportinglife。\'

  Orcouldoneaccuratelyanalysethecostsofdilettantism,shamculture,withitsmonstrousperversionsofproductiveenergyinthefieldsofpedagogy,art,science,andliterature,inadescendingscaleoffrivolousnessordepravity,astheyseizebyimitationtheawakeningmindofeverlargerstrataofourpopulations!Butevenworsethanshamintellectualismistheshammoralitywhichtricksitselfoutinpietisticformulasandcharitablepractices,soastoevadeobediencetotheplainlawsofhumanbrotherhoodandsocialjusticeinthisworld。

  Thewidestanddeepestimplicationsofthisparasiticlifeofluxuryandleisure,thesubstitutionofrecreationforartandexercise,ofdilettantismforthelifeofthought,ofpietism,andcharityforhumanfellowship,liebeyondthescopeofourformalenquiry。Weareconcernedwiththemprimarilyasaffectingeconomicproductionandconsumption。Sport,dilettantismandcharityareforuscharacteristicproductsofmal-distributionseizingthatsurplus-incomewhichistheeconomicnutrimentofsocialprogress,andapplyingittoevolveacomplicatedlifeoffutilefrivolitiesforasmallleisuredclasswhodamagebytheircontagiousexampleandincitementthestandardsoftheworkingmembersofthesocietyinwhichtheyexercisedominion。CHAPTERXII:THEHUMANLAWOF

  DISTRIBUTION

  §1。Inseekingatoncetoestablishandapplytoindustryastandardofhumanvalue,wehavetakenforourconcretesubject-mattertheaggregateofmarketablegoodsandservicesthatconstitutetherealincomeofthenation。Thisrealwealth,distributedinincomeamongthevariousmembersofthecommunity,wesubjectedtoadoubleanalysis,tracingitbackwardsthroughtheprocessesofitsproduction,forwardintoitsconsumption。

  Someoftheactivitiesofitsproductionwerecognisedasbeinginthemselvesinteresting,pleasant,educativeorotherwiseorganicallyuseful:otherswefoundtobeuninteresting,painful,depressingorotherwiseorganicallycostly。Asimilardivergenceofhumanvalueappearedintheconsumptionofthoseformsofwealth。Somesortsandquantitiesofconsumptionwerefoundconducivetothemaintenanceandfurtheranceofhealthylife,bothpleasantandprofitable。Othersortsandqualitiesofconsumptionwerefoundwastefulorinjurioustothelifeoftheconsumersandofthecommunity。

  Thegeneralresultofthisdoubleanalysismaybesummarisedinthefollowingtabularform。

  WEALTH

  PRODUCTION

  Humanutility——Art&Exercise;LabourHumancost——Toil;Mal-productionCONSUMPTION

  Humanutility——Needs;AbundanceHumancost——Satiety;Mal-consumptionIntheordinaryeconomicaccount\'costs\'appearentirelyontheProductionsideoftheaccount,\'utility\'entirelyontheConsumptionside。Productionisregardednotasgoodordesirableinitself,butonlyasameanstowardsanend,Consumption。Ontheotherhand,allpartsofConsumptionareregardedasinthemselvesdesirableandgood,andareassessedasUtilitiesaccordingtotheworthwhichcurrentdesires,expressedinpurchasingpower,setuponthem。

  Ourhumanvaluationrefusestoregardworkasameremeanstoconsumption。

  Itfindslifeandwelfareinthehealthyfunctioningofproductiveactivities,aswellasintheprocessesofrepairandgrowthwhichformsoundconsumption。

  IfallproductioncouldbereducedtoArtandExercise,thecreativeandthere-creativefunctions,allconsumptiontothesatisfactionofphysicalandspiritualneeds,weshouldappeartohavereachedanidealeconomy,inwhichtherewouldbenohumancostsandamaximumamountofhumanutility。

  Theconditionsofacompleteindividuallifewouldseemtobeattained。

  Butwearenotconcernedwithasocietyinwhichcompletenessoftheindividuallifeisthesoleend,butwithasocietyinwhichthedesires,purposesandwelfareoftheindividualsarecomprisedintheachievementofacommonlife。ForthisreasonIhaveincludedundertheheadofUtilityontheProductivesideofouraccount,notonlytheArtandExercisewhicharedirectlyconducivetoindividualwell-being,butaquantumofLabourwhichrepresentstheeconomicmeasureoftheinter-dependency,orsolidarity,oftheso-calledindividuals。Suchlabouristheso-called\'sacrifice\'

  requiredof\'individuals\'intheinterestofthesocietytowhichtheybelong。Totheindividualistitappearsadistortionofthefreefulldevelopmentofhisnature,aninterferencewithhisperfectlife。Butitis,ofcourse,neithersacrificenordistortion。Fortheso-calledindividualisnowise,exceptinphysicalstructure,1completelydividedfromhisfellows。Heisasocialbeingandthissocialnaturedemandsrecognitionandexpressionineconomicprocesses。Itrequireshimtoengageinsomespecialworkwhichhasforitsdirectendthewelfareofsociety,inadditiontotheworkofusinghisownpowersforhisownpersonalends。Howfarthisroutinelabourforsocietycanbetakenintohisconceptionofhishumannature,andsobecomeasourceofpersonalsatisfaction,isaquestionweshalldiscusslateron。Atpresentitwillsufficetorecognisethateachman\'sfaircontributiontotheroutinelabouroftheworld,thoughirksometohim,isnotinjuriousbutserviceabletohis\'human\'nature。Thusinterpreted,itstandsontheutility,notonthecost,sideoftheaccount。Itmustbedistinguishedfromitsexcess,whichwehereterm\'toil\',andfromwork,whichwhetherfromanabuseofthecreativefacultyorofsocialcontrol,isbadanddegradinginitsnatureandisheretermedmal-production。

  Asimilardistinctionbetweenthenarrowlypersonalandthebroadersocialinterpretationofwelfareisapplicableontheconsumptionside。

  Itisclearlynotenoughthattheincomewhichistofurnishconsumptionshouldsufficeonlytomakeprovisionforthesatisfactionofthematerialandspiritualneedsoftheindividualorevenofhisfamily。Theexpenditureofeverymanshouldcontainamargin——whichIherecall\'abundance\'——

  fromwhichhemaycontributevoluntarilytothegoodofothers。Therewillbepublicneedsoremergencies,whicharenotproperlycoveredbyStateservicesbutremainacalluponthepublicspiritofpersonsofdiscernmentandhumanity。Therearealsothecallsofhospitalityandcomradeship,andthewiderclaimofcharity,thewillinghelptothoseinneed,acharitythatisspontaneous,notorganised,thatdegradesneitherhimwhogivesnorhimwhoreceives,becauseitisthenaturalexpressionofaspiritofhumanbrotherhood。Forthestingalikeofcondescensionandofdegradationwouldberemovedfromcharity,whenbothpartiesfeelthatsuchactsofgivingareanagreeableexpressionofaspiritoffellowship。Fromtheconsumptionwhichisthusappliedtothesatisfactionofsoundpersonalneeds,orwhichoverflowsin\'abundance\'tomeettheneedsofothers,wedistinguishsharplythatexcessivequantityofconsumption,whichinourTableranksas\'Satiety\',andthosebasemodesofconsumptionwhichintheirpoisonousreactionsonpersonalandsocialwelfarestrictlycorrespondtothebaseformsofproduction。

  §2。Sucharethegenerallinesofdemarcationbetweenthestrictlybusinessandthehumanvaluationoftheproductiveandconsumptiveprocesses。

  WenowperceivehowcloseistheresemblanceofthelawsofhumanvaluationasappliedtothetwosidesoftheequationofWealth。Thissimilarityis,ofcourse,nochancecoincidence:itinheresintheorganicnatureofsocietyandofindividuallife。But,inordertoproceedwithourmainpurpose,theexpressionoftheeconomicincomeintermsofhumanincome,wemustbringthetwosidesoftheenquiryintocloserunion。Wecanthusgetafairsurveyofthecurrentlifeofindustryfromthestandpointofwealthandwaste,healthanddisease。Sofarasournationalincome,the£2,000,000,000ofgoodsandservices,areproducedbyactivities,whichintheirnatureanddistributioncanbeclassedasArt,ExerciseandSocialLabour,andareconsumedinwaysconducivetothesatisfactionofindividualandsocialNeeds,ourindustrialsocietyissound。

  Probablythegreaterpartofourincomeisthusmadeandspent。Thenecessityofattendingmorecloselytothedefectsthantothesuccessesofthepresentsystemmustnotleadustodisparagethelatter。

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