Understanding Oscar Wilde’s Critique of Charity in The Soul of Man under Socialism

Abstract

Charity is a voluntary act of alms giving to those in need. It is a moral virtue preached in all religions. Surprisingly, Oscar Wilde criticized it in his book, The Soul of Man under Socialism. However, a hermeneutic study of the book reveals that Oscar Wilde does not see charity as ontologically evil but as a veil to the evil of capitalism which is poverty. It does not allow the masses to have actual experience of poverty inherent in capitalism, which is very necessary for conversion from capitalism to socialism.