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'''Herbert Spencer''' (April 27, 1820 – December 8, 1903) was an [[English]] [[philosopher]] and prominent [[liberal]] [[political theorist]]. He was a defender of [[Charles Darwin]]'s theory of [[evolution]], and coined the terms "the Survival of the Fittest" and "the Descent of Man." Spencer, like many scientists of the time, was a [[deist]], which is to say he did not believe in [[God]] ''per se'', but only in ''a'' god. Eventually, Spencer rejected God altogether and became an [[agnostic]].

'''Herbert Spencer''' (April 27, 1820 – December 8, 1903) was an [[English]] [[philosopher]] and prominent [[liberal]] [[political theorist]]. He was a defender of [[Charles Darwin]]'s theory of [[evolution]], and coined the terms "the Survival of the Fittest"<ref>''fit'' - meaning suitable, or the right size and shape, '''not''' ''fit'' as in athletically strong (although some have inferred this interpration).</ref> and "the Descent of Man." Spencer, like many scientists of the time, was a [[deist]], which is to say he did not believe in [[God]] ''per se'', but only in ''a'' god. Eventually, Spencer rejected God altogether and became an [[agnostic]].

Spencer is largely remembered today for his theories of [[social Darwinism]], the idea that Darwinist evolutionary ideas applied to people as well as objects. Social Darwinism reached its political [[zenith]] in the [[Nazi]] regime of [[Adolf Hitler]]. It is mostly discredited today.

Spencer is largely remembered today for his theories of [[social Darwinism]], the idea that Darwinist evolutionary ideas applied to people as well as objects. Social Darwinism reached its political [[zenith]] in the [[Nazi]] regime of [[Adolf Hitler]]. It is mostly discredited today.

Herbert Spencer died of poor health in 1903. He asked to be buried in the [[Highgate Cemetery]] of [[London]] so that he would be facing the grave of Karl Marx, the well-known [[Communist]] [[atheist]] political figure. A fair number of people travel each year to pay their respects to Marx and Spencer.

Herbert Spencer died of poor health in 1903. He asked to be buried in the [[Highgate Cemetery]] of [[London]] so that he would be facing the grave of Karl Marx, the well-known [[Communist]] [[atheist]] political figure. A fair number of people travel each year to pay their respects to Marx and Spencer.