Social Theorists
Herbert Spencer
Sociology
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Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher and sociologist who developed an ambitious evolutionary synthesis applying the idea of progressive development to biology, psychology, and society alike. He coined the phrase survival of the fittest, which Charles Darwin later adopted, and in works such as The Principles of Sociology he described societies as organisms that evolve from simple, undifferentiated forms toward greater complexity, differentiation, and integration. His organicist, evolutionary view of society and his advocacy of minimal state interference made him one of the most widely read social theorists of the late nineteenth century and a central reference point, positive and negative, for later sociology.
Facts
BirthplaceDerby, Derbyshire, England 1 Nationality / Culture Defining ContributionDeveloped an all-embracing conception of evolution as the progressive development of the physical world, biological organisms, the human mind, and human culture and societies, extending Darwinian ideas into sociology and ethics. 1 Notable WorkPrinciples of Biology (1864) 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Institutions Informed
Sumner was America leading Spencerian sociologist, applying Spencer social-evolutionary framework to American society at Yale.
Sources
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaOpening sentence (birth date)Quote, Opening sentence (birth date)
Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) was an English polymath active as a philosopher, psychologist, biologist, sociologist, and anthropologist.
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaOpening sentence (birth year)Quote, Opening sentence (birth year)
Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) was an English polymath active as a philosopher, psychologist, biologist, sociologist, and anthropologist.
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaOpening sentence (death date)Quote, Opening sentence (death date)
Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) was an English polymath active as a philosopher, psychologist, biologist, sociologist, and anthropologist.
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaOpening sentence (death year)Quote, Opening sentence (death year)
Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) was an English polymath active as a philosopher, psychologist, biologist, sociologist, and anthropologist.
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaEarly life and education section, opening sentenceQuote, Early life and education section, opening sentence
Spencer was born in Derby, Derbyshire, England, on 27 April 1820, the son of William George Spencer (generally called George).
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaOpening sentence (nationality)Quote, Opening sentence (nationality)
Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) was an English polymath active as a philosopher, psychologist, biologist, sociologist, and anthropologist.
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead paragraph, second sentenceQuote, Lead paragraph, second sentence
Spencer originated the expression "survival of the fittest", which he coined in Principles of Biology (1864) after reading Charles Darwin's 1859 book On the Origin of Species.
1. Herbert Spencer (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead paragraph, third paragraphQuote, Lead paragraph, third paragraph
Spencer developed an all-embracing conception of evolution as the progressive development of the physical world, biological organisms, the human mind, and human culture and societies.
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