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'''Herbert Spencer''' (April 27, 1820 – December 8, 1903) was a highly influential English [[philosopher]] and  [[political theorist]]. He had an encyclopedic range, writing on topics of government, ethics, education, economics, sociology, biology, psychology and anthropology. He originated some of the ideas of evolution picked up by [[Charles Darwin]].  Spencer's main theme was that powerful forces of social evolution were systematically making mankind better and better.  In politics he was a 19th century liberal--similar to modern libertarians--who opposed to government intervention of any sort and provided the arguments that conservatives still use to oppose socialist and liberal proposals.  He is most famous as a champion of individualism and his rejection of any form of collectivism.  Spencer insisted on an ethical and humane approach to future social development, which prohibited dominance and aggression towards dependent persons or groups, even if it could be demonstrated that the long-term result would be beneficial.<ref>Francis (2007) p. 337</ref>  Sciabarra (1999) calls Spencer "The First Libertarian."

'''Herbert Spencer''' (April 27, 1820 – December 8, 1903) was a highly influential English [[philosopher]] and  [[political theorist]]. He had an encyclopedic range, writing on topics of government, ethics, education, economics, sociology, biology, psychology and anthropology. He originated some of the ideas of evolution picked up by [[Charles Darwin]].  Spencer's main theme was that powerful forces of social evolution were systematically making mankind better and better.  In politics he was a 19th century liberal—similar to modern libertarians—who opposed to government intervention of any sort and provided the arguments that conservatives still use to oppose socialist and liberal proposals.  He is most famous as a champion of individualism and his rejection of any form of collectivism.  Spencer insisted on an ethical and humane approach to future social development, which prohibited dominance and aggression towards dependent persons or groups, even if it could be demonstrated that the long-term result would be beneficial.<ref>Francis (2007) p. 337</ref>  Sciabarra (1999) calls Spencer "The First Libertarian."

==Life==

==Life==

==Creates conservative political arguments==

==Creates conservative political arguments==

As a consequence of his faith in the cosmic force of evolution Spencer became the champion of a social philosophy of [[laissez faire]], with the smallest possible role for the government. The individualism underlying his philosophy is succinctly expressed in his book on ''Ethics,''

As a consequence of his faith in the cosmic force of evolution Spencer became the champion of a social philosophy of [[laissez faire]], with the smallest possible role for the government. The individualism underlying his philosophy is succinctly expressed in his book on ''Ethics,''

:"Every man is free to do what he wills, provided he infringes not the equal freedom of any other man."<ref> See [http://books.google.com/books?id=CzBWAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22herbert+spencer%22+ethics&lr=&num=30&as_brr=0#PPA46,M1 text online p. 46 section 272]</ref>

:"Every man is free to do what he wills, provided he infringes not the equal freedom of any other man."<ref>See [http://books.google.com/books?id=CzBWAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22herbert+spencer%22+ethics&lr=&num=30&as_brr=0#PPA46,M1 text online p. 46 section 272]</ref>

Politics in Britain moved in directions that Spencer disliked, and his arguments provided ammunition for conservatives and individualists in Europe and America that they still use in the 21st century. By the 1880s he was denouncing "the new Toryism" (that is, the social reformist wing of Prime Minister [[William E. Gladstone]]). In ''The Man versus the State'' (1884) he attacked Gladstone and the Liberal party for losing its proper mission (they should be defending personal liberty, he said) and instead promoting paternalist social legislation. Spencer denounced Irish land reform, compulsory education, laws to regulate safety at work, prohibition and temperance laws, free libraries, and welfare reforms.  His main objections were threefold:  the use of the coercive powers of the government, the discouragement given to voluntary self-improvement, and the disregard of the "laws of life." The reforms, he said, were tantamount to "socialism", which he said was about the same as "slavery" in terms of limiting human freedom. Spencer vehemently attacked the widespread enthusiasm for annexation of colonies and imperial expansion, which subverted all he had predicted about evolutionary progress from ‘militant’ to ‘industrial’ societies and states.  

Politics in Britain moved in directions that Spencer disliked, and his arguments provided ammunition for conservatives and individualists in Europe and America that they still use in the 21st century. By the 1880s he was denouncing "the new Toryism" (that is, the social reformist wing of Prime Minister [[William E. Gladstone]]). In ''The Man versus the State'' (1884) he attacked Gladstone and the Liberal party for losing its proper mission (they should be defending personal liberty, he said) and instead promoting paternalist social legislation. Spencer denounced Irish land reform, compulsory education, laws to regulate safety at work, prohibition and temperance laws, free libraries, and welfare reforms.  His main objections were threefold:  the use of the coercive powers of the government, the discouragement given to voluntary self-improvement, and the disregard of the "laws of life." The reforms, he said, were tantamount to "socialism", which he said was about the same as "slavery" in terms of limiting human freedom. Spencer vehemently attacked the widespread enthusiasm for annexation of colonies and imperial expansion, which subverted all he had predicted about evolutionary progress from ‘militant’ to ‘industrial’ societies and states.  

His father commented in 1860:

His father commented in 1860:

:"It appears to me that the laws of nature are to him what revealed religion is to us, and that any willful infraction of those laws is to him as much a sin, as to us is disbelief in what is revealed."<ref> Duncan, ''Life and Letters of Herbert Spencer,'' p 491 </ref>   

:"It appears to me that the laws of nature are to him what revealed religion is to us, and that any willful infraction of those laws is to him as much a sin, as to us is disbelief in what is revealed."<ref>Duncan, ''Life and Letters of Herbert Spencer,'' p 491</ref>   

Though "he did not accept the dogmas of any creed, he was, in the truest sense, religious," said David Duncan, his closest aide. "In private life," said another friend, "he refrained from obtruding his heterodox views upon others, nor have I ever known him give utterance to any language which could possibly be construed as 'scoffing.' . The name of the Founder of Christianity always elicited his  profound respect."<ref> Duncan, ''Life and Letters of Herbert Spencer,'' p 492 </ref>

Though "he did not accept the dogmas of any creed, he was, in the truest sense, religious," said David Duncan, his closest aide. "In private life," said another friend, "he refrained from obtruding his heterodox views upon others, nor have I ever known him give utterance to any language which could possibly be construed as 'scoffing.' . The name of the Founder of Christianity always elicited his  profound respect."<ref>Duncan, ''Life and Letters of Herbert Spencer,'' p 492</ref>

Spencer, like many scientists of the time, was a [[deist]], which is to say he did not believe in a personal [[God]] ''per se'', but only in ''a'' god. In ''The Principles of Sociology'' (1876) and ''The Principles of Ethics'' (1879) he claims to have discovered the evolution of religious belief and institutions from what their origins in the cult of ancestors by primitive peoples to his own conception of an "unknowable" God-like First Cause.  

Spencer, like many scientists of the time, was a [[deist]], which is to say he did not believe in a personal [[God]] ''per se'', but only in ''a'' god. In ''The Principles of Sociology'' (1876) and ''The Principles of Ethics'' (1879) he claims to have discovered the evolution of religious belief and institutions from what their origins in the cult of ancestors by primitive peoples to his own conception of an "unknowable" God-like First Cause.  

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[[Category:Political Scientists]]

[[Category:Political Scientists]]