A New View of Society; or, Essays on the Principle of the Formation of the Human Character
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A New View of Society; or, Essays on the Principle of the Formation of the Human Character is a work by Robert Owen, a Welsh manufacturer and social reformer. Published in 1813, the essays outline Owen's core philosophy: that human character is shaped by external circumstances and environment, not by inherent nature. Therefore, individuals are not truly blameworthy or praiseworthy for their actions.
Owen believed that by controlling the environment and influences from an early age, a better human character could be formed. This principle underpinned his efforts in social reform, most notably at his New Lanark mills in Scotland. There, he implemented welfare programs, improved living conditions, and focused on education to foster a more moral and content society. His ideas contributed to the development of utopian socialism and the cooperative movement.123
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