Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects

by Herbert Spencer

This volume book contains a collection of philosophical essays written by Herbert Spencer. The essays contained within this book were originally published in the 'Westminster Review', the 'North British Review', and the 'British Quarterly Review'. They “ Intellectual, Moral, and Physical”, “What Knowledge is of Most Worthy”, “Intellectual Education”, “Moral Education”, “Physical Education”, “ It’s Law and Cause”, “On Manners and Fashion”, and more. This fantastic collection is highly recommended for those with a keen interest in nineteenth century philosophy, and is not to be missed by fans and collectors of Spencer’s work. Herbert Spencer (1820 - 1903) was an esteemed English philosopher, anthropologist, biologist, and sociologist. Many vintage texts such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now, in an affordable, high-quality, modern edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned biography of the author.

Genres: Education, Philosophy, Literature, Essays

568 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist of the Victorian era.

Spencer developed an all-embracing conception of evolution as the progressive development of the physical world, biological organisms, the human mind, and human culture and societies. He was "an enthusiastic exponent of evolution" and even "wrote about evolution before Darwin did." As a polymath, he contributed to a wide range of subjects, including ethics, religion, anthropology, economics, political theory, philosophy, literature, biology, sociology, and psychology. During his lifetime he achieved tremendous authority, mainly in English-speaking academia. "The only other English philosopher to have achieved anything like such widespread popularity was Bertrand Russell, and that was in the 20th century." Spencer was "the single most famous European intellectual in the closing decades of the nineteenth century" but his influence declined sharply after 1900; "Who now reads Spencer?" asked Talcott Parsons in 1937.

Spencer is best known for coining the expression "survival of the fittest", which he did in Principles of Biology (1864), after reading Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. This term strongly suggests natural selection, yet as Spencer extended evolution into realms of sociology and ethics, he also made use of Lamarckism.

Reviews

[James Violand · Rating 4 out of 5]

An English polyglot of the late 19th century who is known for his expression "Survival of the Fittest" believed in progressive evolution of society.
Essays on Education
In this writing he extols curriculum based upon the natural predispositions toward learning. It seems to have set the tone for progressive, public education for all to advance society.
Progress: Its Law and Cause
Progress geologically, biologically, societal is noted as moving from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous, from simplicity to complex. (He discusses philology to conclude that the English language is superior to all others.) He develops his first law: Every active force produces more than one change – every cause produces more than one effect.
On Manners and Fashion
There is a relationship between political discontent and the disregard of customs. Reactionary forces then attempt to conserve norms. Early in human development, a division occurred between the Law (sovereign) and Morality (what ought). The conflict between the two causes dissension. Dissension is counterproductive to stability and Manners and Fashions develop as forms of self-restraint and recognition between the parties. As progression occurs, manners and fashions are challenged and change. When society refuses to acknowledge this change, the participant in this anomaly produces extravagance. This decreases social intercourse and the rejected gravitate into parties of like interests and rebel against convention. Spencer sides with the dissenters and projects despotism upon conservative leaders because progress occurs through nonconformity to customs. But, I ask, can’t nonconformity lead to anarchy?
On the Genesis of Science
Scientific knowledge is the outgrowth of common knowledge and is an extension of perception by reason. All scientific advancement occurs by recognizing necessity. This entails quantitative analysis. Spencer’s explanation is brilliant and, again, is built upon progression.
On the Physiology of Laughter
Other than concluding that humor is usually attended by a perceived incongruity, Spencer’s attempt to explain humor is unsuccessful.
On the Origin and Function of Music
I eliminated this essay because his central premises is wrong. He states that all music is originally vocal. Wrong. Birds sing, crickets chirp, frogs croak, wind whistles, ice tinkles. Enough sounds exist that primitive man imitates them. His least cogent essay.

[GruMinions · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. I read Chinese version and I did not compare its difference.
2. I think its happy learning is similar spirit to Charlotte Mason on reading live books.
3. I learned a few tips on educating my kids.