Their denunciations of the “materialism” of socialists is based simply upon the fact that the latter want a different distribution of material force and well-being than that which satisfies those now in control.
Dewey critiques the hypocrisy of those who condemn socialism while benefiting from existing material distributions.
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The easiest way out was to go back to the naked individual, to sweep away all associations as foreign to his nature and rights save as they proceeded from his own voluntary choice, and guaranteed his own private ends.
Freedom presented itself as an end in itself, though it signified in fact liberation from oppression and tradition.
If one wishes to realize the distance which may lie between “facts” and the meaning of facts, let one go to the field of social discussion.
The idea remains barren and empty save as it is incarnated in human relationships.