Excerpt from An Introductions to the Philosophy of Herbert Spencer If the present introduction succeeds to any extent in this humble labour of usefulness - if it serves to bring others under the more immediate influence of a teacher to whom my own personal debt is so great - its existence Will be amply justified. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Herbert Spencer The aim of this little book is almost entirely expository. I have tried in it to give a simple outline of the cardinal ideas and more important bearings of the Synthetic Philosophy. The accomplishment of this task within the limits allowed me has made more than sufficient demands upon my powers of presentment and condensation. Absence of recorded disapproval must, therefore, not be regarded as necessarily implying assent. Where I have departed from interpretation to express judgment, I have done so simply for the purpose of indicating certain points at which, in respect of fundamental matters, Spencer's account of things seems to me to be most seriously open to criticism. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from An Introductions to the Philosophy of Herbert Spencer In the preface (dated Stanford University, California, April, 1894) to the first edition of this little book, I described it as "an outgrowth of lectures delivered from time to time on various aspects of the subject with which it deals," and explained that the writing of it had been undertaken "to meet what seems to me to be a very healthy popular demand." I went on to speak of the growth of public interest in the theory of Evolution in general, and in the writings of Herbert Spencer in particular, and of "the desire, often of late expressed to me by thoughtful and inquiring persons of broad outlook but limited leisure, to know more of Mr. Spencer and his work, of the relative and historic relations of his philosophy, and especially of its significance in connection with those ques those with which we are all of us directly concerned - the questions of conduct, society, and religion." I then described the purpose of my book in the paragraphs which I here reproduce: - "But here arises a difficulty. Mr. Spencer's writings are and must be repellent to many would-be readers on account of their vast range and encyclopedic character. The comparatively unpractised and totally unguided student, set face to face with a whole shelf full of ponderous volumes, covering with great minuteness of detail an immense area of speculation and research, and couched in a singularly condensed and not very attractive style, is apt to pause before committing himself to a long and perilous journey over untried country - a journey probably fraught with unforeseen dangers, and for which he may well feel himself imperfectly prepared. Did he but possess some outline-map, however scanty, of the region to be traversed; did he but know something, to begin with, of the principal natural features likely to be encountered on the way, the whole undertaking would appear to him in a far more favourable light. He would then at least realise to some extent the direction he was to take, and feel the better equipped to grapple with whatever adventures might await him in his long and arduous course. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Herbert Spencer was one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century, and this book offers readers a clear and accessible introduction to his ideas. Written in a lively and engaging style, it also includes a biographical sketch of Spencer's life and career, providing readers with a broader context for understanding his work. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Excerpt from Herbert Spencer: The Man and His Work A fragmentary form. My object in writing this book has been to present to the general reader Spencerism in lucid, coherent shape. Nothing can take the place of Mr. Spencer's own writings, but \mastery of these demands an amount of leisure and philosophic enthusiasm which are by no means widespread. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This early work by William Henry Hudson was originally published in 1894 and we are now republishing it. 'An Introduction to the Philosophy of Herbert Spencer' is a book that examines Spencer's ethics, sociology, and synthetic philosophy. Herbert Spencer was born on 27th April 1820, in Derby, England. In 1851 he published 'Social Statics' to great acclaim and his quietly influential 'Principles of Psychology' in 1955. These were followed by numerous works of sociology, psychology, and philosophy, which led him to become a prominent intellectual of his day. He also wrote 'The Developmental Hypothesis' (1852) which described the theory of evolution seven years before Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species'. He even popularised the term "Evolution" and coined the phrase "Survival of the fittest," but his works did not contain the comprehensive theoretical system that Darwin's did, which is why his theory was not taken seriously at the time. Spencer's most famous idea was that of "Social Darwinism." He saw the process of organic evolution as being analogous to that of society, an idea influenced many intellectuals of the day.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.