He discusses the idea of ‘individualism’ in the face of the “authoritarianism” of the… socialist tendencies in his time. Barely touches upon the materialistic aspects of it, but the essay is useful in its analysis of the ‘individual’ in the face of his fear for withering of the same under the state.

I should hardly think anyone conceives of giving up the self entirely for a collectivist cause, the way Oscar Wilde is portraying it. Because that’s tough to do in material circumstances today, also absolute selflessness is like really tough, even, say, in the framework which individualistic development the way Oscar conceives of can operate? I’d really like to know if any other socialist texts touch upon this topic as well.