This is the first new selection and translation in seventy years from the massive writings of one of the most provocative of 19th century thinkers. Like most social theorists whose ideas have retained any grip at all on man's imagination, Charles Fourier (1772-1837) has often been pressed into service to suit the purposes of disparate social movements. The Nineteenth Century Fourier, for example, became a respectable and upright socialist through his disciples.The Fourier of a Marxist anthology, on the other hand, was given credit for a devastating critique of bourgeois sexual fraud and mercantile hypocrisy, but what was most appreciated was Fourier's contribution to the thought of Marx and Engels. Finally, the Fourier of general histories of nineteenth century thought emerges as a genial man, memorable chiefly for his predictions of domesticated anti-lions and seas of lemonade.This book concentrates on those aspects of his thought that are relevant to contemporary social theory. Fourier's thought begins with his doctrines of "absolute doubt" and "absolute deviation." "Absolute doubt" required Fourier to doubt civilization itself, "to doubt its necessity, its excellence, and its permanence." "Absolute deviation" required him to dismiss the doctrines, teachings, and moral codes of all previous thinkers and philosophers. Thus he was not a critic of his society, but rather a vehement enemy.As an answer to his own critique, Fourier planned an extraordinary utopian society based in large part on his law of "passionate attraction," which was destined to "conduct the human race to opulence, sensual pleasures and global unity." It was to be made up of interacting phalanxes, perhaps 1600 people housed in one vast building, a phalanstery, where there would be a way of life immeasurably richer and freer than a repressive civilization had ever afforded any man.While trial phalanxes were founded in both France and the United States, none of these communities, including Brook Farm, met the standards set by Fourier. But today, in societies of great affluence, Fourier's dream may take on new meaning among those dedicated to man's liberation and self-fulfillment.Contents:I. FIRST PROCLAMATIONS"Universal Harmony""Letter to the High Judge""Indices and Methods Which Led to the Discovery"II. COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AND WORK IN CIVILIZATION1 Critique of CommerceFourier and CommerceThe Rise of Commerce and the Birth of Political EconomyCritique of Economic LiberalismThe Vices of CommerceA Sentimental Bankruptcy2 Work and Industry in Civilization"Industrial Anarchy"Civilized Work Is Unproductive"Unproductive Classes in Civilization"The Bucolic MythThe Right to Work Denied3 Work, Anxiety, and FreedomTrue Freedom and WorkWork and CompulsionThe Worker's MisfortunesMisfortunes of the Working PeopleLoathsome Work: God's CurseIII. PHILOSOPHY, MORALITY, AND SEX IN CIVILIZATION1 Civilized Philosophy"Accusation of the Uncertain Sciences"Critique of the Revolutionary IdealsPolitics and PovertyMorality as Preached; Counter-Morality as PracticedThe Varieties of Civilized Education2 Marriage and the Family System"Amorous Anarchy"The Degradation of Women in CivilizationThe Perils of Married LifeAdultery Dissected: the Hierarchy of Cuckoldom3 Civilization in Historical PerspectiveThe First Age of HumanityThe Phases of CivilizationSexual Relations and Social Change"Sixteen Recent Degenerations"The Imminent Social MetamorphosisIV. THE THEORY OF PASSIONATE ATTRACTION1 Metaphysics and TheodicyGod and His PropertiesThe Divine Social CodeThe Law of Attraction2 The Anatomy of the PassionsPassion and DutyPassionate AttractionThe Three Distributive PassionsThe Classification of Personality Types3 Group PsychologyThe Study of GroupsThe Passionate SeriesV. THE IDEAL COMMUNITY1 New Material ConditionsThe Establishment of a Trial PhalanxThe PhalansteryAn Architectural Innovation: The Street-gallery2 The Organization of Communal LifeThe Phalanx at DawnAdministrative Institutions and PracticesThe ExchangeThe Phalanx on Parade: Its 16 Tribes3 Education and Cultural Life in HarmonyEducation, Refinement, and Social HarmonyEducation by Peer GroupThe Encouragement of the Arts and the Sciences4 Advanced GastronomyThe Two Conditions: Good Food and Good CompanyA Problem in Bi-compound Gastronomy: The Triumph of Tough Old HensVI. ATTRACTIVE WORK1 General Conditions and DescriptionsThe Seven Conditions and the Social MinimumWork and the Distributive Passions2 Harmony's EnterprisesSelecting the SeriesThe Subordination of ManufacturingAgricultural Methods: Work and ConvivialityWork and Aesthetic Pleasure: The Role of Elegance3 Work as Social and Personal TherapeuticRich and Poor in Harmony: The End of Class AntagonismWork and the Destructive Passions: The Case of NeroVocational Training: The Little Peas4 Work Problems in HarmonyDegrading Work: the Servant Problem SolvedDrudgery: Work Devoid of AttractionThe Little Hordes and Disgusting WorkWork, Love, and the Industrial ArmiesVII. THE NEW AMOROUS WORLD1 The Nature and Uses of Love in HarmonyLove: The Divine PassionPolygamous Penchants Are UniversalThe Sexual MinimumThe Decline of Egoism and JealousyThe Rehabilitation of Sentimental Love2 Studies in PsychopathologyThe Analysis of ManiasThe Repression of Manias: The Case of Madame StrogonoffManias and Character Formation3 New Amorous InstitutionsEducation and Sexuality: The Chaste VestalsEducation and Sexuality: The Faithful DamselsThe Code of Amorous Nobility 367The Triumph of Sentiment: Harmony's Angelic CoupleConfessors in Harmony: The Art of Matching Personalities4 Scenes and Episodes From the New Amorous WorldThe Arrival of a Band of Knights Errant at CnidosA Session of the Court of LoveVIII. THE MATHEMATICAL POEMThe Harmony of the Four MovementsThe Earth's Creations"Epilogue on the Theory of Analogy"