THE MORAL NORM OF SOCIAL LIFE.

I. The error of social realism, according to which social institutions and interests have a supreme and decisive significance in themselves.--Man is not merely a social animal.--The conception of a social being is poorer in intension but wider in extension than the conception of man.--Description of the social life of ants 261

II. The unconditional value of the individual for society.--No man under any circumstances and for any reason may be regarded as _merely_ a means or an instrument--neither for the good of another person, nor for the good of a group of persons, nor for the so-called ‘common good’ (explanations).--Religion, family, and property in relation to the unconditional moral norm 264

III. Rights of man wrongly understood as the privilege of the one (eastern monarchies) or of the few (classical aristocracies) or of the many (democracies).--The three chief anomalies of the ancient society--the denial of human dignity to the external enemies, to slaves, and to criminals.--Progress of social morality in the consciousness of the ancient world.--The absolute affirmation of human dignity in Christianity 268

IV. The task of the present is to make all social institutions conformable to the unconditional moral norm and to struggle with the collective evil 272