# The Acquisitive Society — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Acquisitive Society by R. H. Tawney.

- [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/introductory.md): The chapter argues that English society, characterized by a practical but theoretically incurious disposition, must now reconsider its social and industrial institutions by appealing to fundamental principles. It critiqu
- [Rights and Functions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/rights-and-functions.md): This chapter contrasts the French and English approaches to rights and property, arguing that while France abolished feudal property rights in the name of natural rights, England retained absolute property rights under t
- [The Acquisitive Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-acquisitive-society.md): This chapter critiques the foundational doctrine of modern economic civilization, which prioritizes individual rights to property and self-interest over social functions and obligations. It argues that society is organiz
- [The Nemesis of Industrialism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-nemesis-of-industrialism.md): This chapter argues that the dominant principle of industrialism—the pursuit of wealth as an end in itself—has led to a society where rewards are divorced from service, creating a class of idle rentiers and degrading the
- [Property and Creative Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/property-and-creative-work.md): This chapter examines the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate forms of private property, arguing that property is moral only when it is functional—used as a condition of activity and service rather than idlen

> 7 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_acquisitive_society_se_1423kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Functional Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-functional-society.md)
- [Industry as a Profession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/industry-as-a-profession.md)
- [The "Vicious Circle"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-vicious-circle.md)
- [The Condition of Efficiency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-condition-of-efficiency.md)
- [The Position of the Brain Worker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-position-of-the-brain-worker.md)
- [Porro Unum Necessarium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/porro-unum-necessarium.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters