Not Guilty: A Defence of the Bottom Dog

Not Guilty: A Defence of the Bottom Dog by Robert Blatchford is a passionate argument against the idea of moral responsibility in the context of social inequality. Blatchford a prominent socialist thinker challenges the notion that individuals are solely responsible for their successes or failures instead attributing much of human behavior to environmental and hereditary factors.Through clear and forceful reasoning Blatchford critiques traditional views on crime poverty and personal morality arguing that society should focus on systemic reform rather than punishment and blame. He contends that individuals born into disadvantage are often shaped by forces beyond their control making it unjust to hold them morally accountable for their circumstances. His arguments align with his broader socialist beliefs advocating for a more compassionate and equitable society.This work remains an important contribution to early 20th-century debates on free will determinism and social justice. Not Guilty continues to resonate with readers interested in ethics sociology and the fight against economic and social oppression.