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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]]"<ref>''fit'' - meaning suitable, or the right size and shape, '''not''' ''fit'' as in athletically strong (although some have inferred this interpretation).</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  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 interpretation).</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  became an [[agnostic]].

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

Spencer is largely remembered today for his theories of [[social Darwinism]], the idea that evolutionary ideas applied to societies as well as people.   Spencer developed his ideas before Darwin, and "social darwinism" dealt only with the progressive betterment of human society.

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 the [[atheist]] , [[Karl Marx]], the well-known founder of the [[Communist]]  movement. 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 the [[atheist]] , [[Karl Marx]], the well-known founder of the [[Communist]]  movement. A fair number of people travel each year to pay their respects to Marx and Spencer.

[[Category:Political Scientists]]

[[Category:Political Scientists]]

[[Category:Philosophers]]

[[Category:Philosophers]]

[[Category:Liberals]]

[[Category:Liberals]]

[[Category:Agnostics]]

[[Category:Agnostics]]