Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PHAL-AN-STE'RI-AN-ISM, n.

The system of Charles Fourier, whose leading inculcation is, that the evils which mainly afflict mankind are social in their nature, and that their only remedy is in a reorganization of society upon principles analogous to those of a joint-stock company; each community to consist of from 500 to 2000 persons living in one spacious edifice, cultivating a large domain, prosecuting industry in common, but sharing its proceeds according to their capital, skill, and labor. – Greeley.