Charles Fourier adamantly rejected the description of his work as ‘utopian’. But, of all the early socialists, he is the only one for whom the designation ‘utopian socialist’ makes much sense. A social critic who advocated ‘absolute deviation’ from established philosophies and institutions, he distanced himself in every possible way from the society in which he lived. A psychologist who celebrated the passions as agents of human happiness, he carried to its ultimate conclusion the rejection of the doctrine of original sin that had long been a hallmark of the utopian tradition. A social prophet who drew up blueprints for everything from colour schemes for work uniforms to designs for nursery furniture, he was more concerned than any of his contemporaries to give precise definition to his conception of the good society.