Herbert Spencer and the Advent of Evolutionary Naturalism

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Herbert Spencer's life, work, and theories in evolutionary naturalism.

Herbert Spencer

A Victorian biologist and philosopher known for his contributions to evolutionary naturalism and sociology.

Social Darwinism

A theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to social structures and human society.

System of Synthetic Philosophy

Spencer's philosophical work that integrated biology, psychology, sociology, and ethics.

Laissez-faire

An economic theory advocating minimal government intervention in personal and economic affairs.

Evolution

The process through which species undergo changes over time through natural selection.

Organic analogy

The comparison of society to a biological organism, emphasizing how its parts work together.

Compulsory cooperation

The forced collaboration of individuals within a military society.

Voluntary cooperation

The collaborative efforts of individuals in an industrial society based on mutual agreement.

Chronic insomnia

A long-term condition of being unable to sleep, which Spencer suffered from.

The Ethical State

The highest societal order as proposed by Spencer, where resources are used for human perfection.

The Unknowable

Spencer's concept of a reality beyond human knowledge, which implies there are limits to our understanding.

Differentiation

The process by which societies and organisms develop increasing complexity and specialized roles.

Integration

The combining of different parts into a cohesive whole, crucial to Spencer's view of social evolution.

Adaptation

The capacity of an organism or society to adjust and evolve in response to changes in its environment.

Malthusian influence

The impact of Thomas Robert Malthus's ideas on Spencer, particularly in regard to population and resources.