He became famous as an ideologue of liberalism and extreme individualism. He was a supporter of the utilitarian concept of morality. As a philosopher, sociologist and psychologist, Herbert Spencer was at the origin of the theory of social Darwinism. The scientist's sociological views reflected the contradictions of the Victorian era.
From the biography of Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer was born on April 27, 1820 in Derbyshire (England). His father was devout, but found the strength to rebel against religious dogma and move from the Methodist church to the Quaker community. He promoted the progressive methods of teaching Pestalozzi at the time. Father instilled in Herbert a love of philosophy, taught the boy empirical methods of understanding the world. His uncle took an active part in teaching Spencer. He gave him lessons in physics, mathematics and Latin.
Young Herbert at first did not find application for his abilities in the field of humanitarian knowledge. He began his career working as an engineer on the railway. At the same time, Spencer is fascinated by publishing. For several years, Herbert was the assistant editor of a journal that preached physiocratic views.
In the same period, he turns to creativity and sits down for his first scientific work, called "Social Statistics". While working on the book, Spencer meets the famous biologist Thomas Henry Huxley. They subsequently became friends.
Spencer delves into the "System of Logic" by John Stuart Mill with interest, masters the basics of the concept of positivism, developed by Auguste Comte. All these views later formed the basis of his work "Principles of Psychology", which was published in 1855.
Spencer's philosophical views ran counter to theological institutions. He decides to apply the principles of evolution to sociology, ethics, and psychology. The result of his searches was the work "System of Synthetic Philosophy".
At the height of glory
Spencer gradually became one of the most famous thinkers of his time. His works are gaining popularity and even bringing in considerable income. Spencer lives on royalties from books and magazine publications. Herbert Spencer's works have been translated into many European languages. Spencer becomes a member of a privileged London club. He is considered one of the intellectual leaders of the era.
Good connections in society helped Spencer to occupy a special position in the world of science. However, even the wealth that fell on him did not fundamentally change his lifestyle. Until the end of his days, Spencer remained a bachelor. He didn't even have a home of his own. He seeks to spend the last years of his life alone, critically rethinking his views and scientific achievements. Before his death, he increasingly complains about his health condition, suffers from a mental disorder.
Herbert Spencer became the first scientist whose works were published in millions of copies during the author's lifetime. A year before Spencer's death, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize.
Herbert Spencer passed away in 1903, having a significant impact on the development of scientific thought of his era.
