Page:Alexander Jonas - Reporter and Socialist (1885).djvu/61

 which, owing to the natural development of human beings will continue for some time, would more and more disappear under the future state of things. And for these reasons, in the beginning of the new era, the elements comprising the old society, with their characteristic differences in knowledge and abilities will prevail to a great extent; but, as the new society will immediately introduce its thorough and uniform process of education in all branches of knowledge and mechanical pursuits, these differences will soon be effaced. But, besides, it is to be remembered—and this is of great importance—that the rapid development of new inventions and improvements, and the scientific division of labor in all departments of industry, will simplify the task imposed upon the producers in all branches to such an extent that every young person, female as well as male, coming from the exceedingly well-managed institutions of social learning, will be enabled to immediately enter any vocation affording him, or her, a comfortable living; and thus the prevailing differences of ability causing the difference in the income of the individual workers will also more and more disappear. May be that two generations will suffice to accomplish this. The highest ideal, of course, would be to have the income not merely regulated by the accomplishments of the individual nor even by the time during which the individual assists in the process of producing, but that every one serve society according to his, or her, best ability, and that the reward for doing so be exactly what every individual needs and desires. But this ideal could only be realized if every spark of brutal egoism were extinguished in the hearts of mankind, and if altruism, the principle of mutuality, which first considers the welfare of the whole and then that of the individual proper, has become second nature to everyone. But, why should we trouble ourselves about the state of affairs of the far future which neither we, ourselves, nor our children and grandchildren will ever see? The road toward this noble ideal, if it can ever be reached, will undoubtedly lead through the socialistic organization as I have described it to you a short while ago.

But is it not quite unnatural, and would it not be altogether void of results to root out that "brutal egoism,"