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Herbert Spencer Quotes

Philosopher

Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher, sociologist, and writer, best known for his theory of social Darwinism. His ideas had a profound impact on social and political theories of the late 19th century.

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Famous Herbert Spencer Quotes

“This survival of the fittest implies multiplication of the fittest. {The phrase 'survival of the fittest' was not originated by Charles Darwin, though he discussed Spencer's 'excellent expression' in a letter to Alfred Russel Wallace (Jul 1866).}”

Science Evolution Biology Natural Selection Survival Of The Fittest Darwin Charles Darwin Wallace Alfred Russel Wallace

Book:The Principles of Biology, Vol 1

Source: The Principles of Biology, Vol 1

“Evolution is an integration of matter and concomitant dissipation of motion during which the matter passes from an indefinite incoherent homogeneity to a definite coherent heterogeneity, and during which the retained motion undergoes a parallel transformation.”

Matter Science Evolution Biology Natural Selection Motion Homogeneity Heterogeneity

Book:First Principles

Source: First Principles

“We have repeatedly observed that while any whole is evolving, there is always going on an evolution of the parts into which it divides itself; but we have not observed that this equally holds of the totality of things, which is made up of parts within parts from the greatest down to the smallest.”

Made Whole Evolution Evolve Divides Smallest Totality

Book:First Principles

Source: First Principles

“Ethical ideas and sentiments have to be considered as parts of the phenomena of life at large. We have to deal with man as a product of evolution, with society as a product of evolution, and with moral phenomena as products of evolution.”

Men Ideas Deals Moral Products Evolution Sentiments Ethical

Book:Ethics of Individual Life

Source: Ethics of Individual Life

“The more specific idea of Evolution now reached is - a change from an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity to a definite, coherent heterogeneity, accompanying the dissipation of motion and integration of matter.”

Ideas Matter Atheism Evolution Positive Atheism Definite Integration Dissipation Homogeneity

Book:First Principles: Great Philosopher

Source: First Principles: Great Philosopher

“If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a man in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the human race.”

Ifs Men Giving Years Humans May Science Courses Understanding Space Race Millions Conditions Evolution Difficulty Cells Human Race Appropriate

Book:The Principles of Biology

Source: The Principles of Biology

“This survival of the fittest implies multiplication of the fittest.”

Science Evolution Survival Survival Of The Fittest Multiplication

Author:Herbert Spencer

“Those who cavalierly reject the Theory of Evolution, as not adequately supported by facts, seem quite to forget that their own theory it supported by no facts at all.”

Facts Wisdom Seems Forget Theory Evolution Rejects Theory Of Evolution

Book:Essays: Scientific, Political and Speculative

Source: Essays: Scientific, Political and Speculative

About the Author

Born: April 27, 1820
Died: December 8, 1903
Known for: Philosopher
Quotes: 198

Books & Sources

Social Statics; Or, The Conditions Essential to Human Happiness Specified, & the First of Them DevelopedRelated source material

Social Statics: Great EssaysRelated source material

First PrinciplesRelated source material

The Study of SociologyRelated source material

Education: Intellectual, Moral, and PhysicalRelated source material

The Data of Ethics: Great EssaysRelated source material

The Man versus the State: Great EssaysRelated source material

An Autobiography: By Herbert SpencerRelated source material

Essays: Scientific, Political and SpeculativeRelated source material

The Principles of Ethics - Completed: Great EssaysRelated source material

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