Herbert

spencer

Profile
Full Name: Herbert Spencer
Born: Derby, Derbyshire, England 27 April 1820
Died: Brighton, Sussex, England 8 December 1903
Religion: Agnostic
Primary Interest: Anthropology, Biology, Evolution,
Laissez-faire, Positivism, Psychology, Sociology,
Utilitarianism.

Herbert
spencer
Spencer was educated in empirical science by his
father, while the members of the Derby
Philosophical Society introduced him to pre-
Darwinian concepts of biological evolution,
particularly those of Erasmus Darwin and Jean
Baptiste Lamarck His uncle, the Reverend Thomas
Spencer, vicar of Hinton Charterhouse near Bath,
completed Spencer's limited formal education by
teaching him some mathematics and physics, and
enough Latin to enable him to translate some easy
texts.
Theory
Social Darwinism, Spencer is often associated with
the idea of "social Darwinism." He formulated the
notion that societal progress occurs through
competition and survival of the fittest, similar to
biological evolution. This perspective sparked
debates about its ethical implications, as it could
be used to justify inequalities and laissez-faire
economic policies.

Modern Day Case

The concept of "survival of the fittest" and social Darwinism can still be seen in
debates over social inequality and economic disparities. Discussions about the
role of government intervention in addressing inequality often touch on Spencer's
ideas about limited government involvement and the natural progression of
societies.