CHAPTER II. 



SPECIALIZATION OF FUNCTIONS AND DIVISION OF LABOUR. 



728. THESE titles are in one sense equivalents and in 

 another sense not. As used most comprehensively, the ex 

 pression division of labour refers to all parts of that aggre 

 gate of actions by which the life of a society is carried on 

 the governmental, the militant, the ecclesiastical, the pro 

 fessional, as well as the industrial. But though the expres 

 sion might fitly be used as equivalent in meaning to special 

 ization of functions, the common acceptation of the word 

 labour effort expended in production has narrowed its 

 application. It has come to mean only that specialization 

 of functions which directly or indirectly concerns the ful 

 filment of material wants, and the making of material aids 

 to mental wants. 



The last clause of this definition covers numerous pro 

 cesses not connected in any way with sustentation, or the 

 satisfaction of the lower desires. The maker of a musical 

 instrument, the compositor who helps to manufacture a book, 

 the photographer and the seller of chromo-lithographs, the 

 florist and the street flower-girl, are all of them engaged in 

 producing or distributing material things; but these things 

 have nothing to do with the maintenance of life. There are 

 many classes whose labours minister to instruction and 

 aesthetic gratification ; and while the division of labour with 

 which we are here concerned does not contemplate those 

 who by their mental efforts yield the instruction and grati 

 fication, it contemplates among others those who subserve 



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