Past Paper Questions: Unit 02 - Herbert Spencer

5 Marks:

1. Write the meaning of social evolution. 
2. State Herbert Spencer's view on types of society.

10 Marks:

1. Discuss Herbert Spencer's theory of organic analogy.
2. Examine the theory of Social evolution. 

Essay on Spencer’s Theory of Evolution

“Evolutionary Theory” or “The Laws of Evolution” is often regarded as the greatest contribution of the British sociologist Herbert Spencer to the realm of social thought. Spencer’s ideals have left an indelible impression on the succeeding writers.

It is true that his social theories have caused more controversy than those of any other writer in the sociological field. The controversies that his ideas created, of course, will not obscure the important role that he had played in enriching the field of social thought.

“Evolution” – The Most Exciting Concept of the 19th Century:

“Evolution” was one of the most exciting ideas of the 19th century. Its most influential spon­sor was the naturalist Charles Darwin. Darwin developed the concept of “Evolution” in his “Origin of Species – 1859.” Spencer, the sociological giant of the second half of the 19th century, was enamoured by the idea of evolution. He applied the principle of evolution to the social world and called it “social evolution.” He saw social evolution as “a set of stages through which all the societies moved from simple to the complex and from the homogenous to the heterogeneous.”

Theory of Social Evolution

'Evolution' was one of the exciting ideas of the 19th Century. Its most influential sponsor was the naturalist Charles Darwin. He developed the concept of 'evolution' in his 'Origin of Species' in 1859. His theory stated that “the human race had gradually evolved from lower orders of life as a result of progressive adaptation to the environment through the survival of biological forms best adapted to a competitive struggle”. Spencer, the sociological giant of the second half of the 19th Century, was enamoured by "Social Darwinism". He saw social evolution as a set of stages through which all societies moved from the simple to the complex and from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous.

Spencer's Theory of Evolution

"Evolutionary Theory" or "The Law of Evolution" is often regarded as the greatest contribution of the British Sociologist Herbert Spencer to the realm of social thought.

"Evolution" - The Most Exciting Concept of the 19th Century

"Evolution" was one of the most exciting ideas of the 19th century. Its most influential sponsor was the naturalist Charles Darwin. Darwin developed the concept of "Evolution" in his "Origin of Species - 1859." Spencer, applied the principle of evolution to the social world and called it "social evolution." He saw social evolution as "a set of stages through which all the societies moved from simple to the complex and from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous."

Meaning of the Concept of "Evolution"

The term “evolution” comes from the Latin word “evolvere” which means “to develop” or to “unfold.” It closely corresponds to the Sanskrit word “Vikas”. Evolution literally means gradual “unfolding” or “unrolling.” It indicates changes from “within” and not from “without”-, it is spontaneous  but not automatic. It must take place on its own accord. It implies continuous change that takes place especially in some structure. The concept applies more precisely to the internal growth of an organism.

Herbert Spencer (1820 - 1903)

Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer was a theorist whose valuable insights have often been drowned in a sea of irrelevance and spacious reasoning. He is popularly known as the British Aristotle and often called the second founding father of sociology. Spencer's ideas have left an indelible impression on the succeeding writers. Spencer's name was associated with the birth of sociology in England. Herbert Spencer was born an April 27, 1820, in Derby in England. He was a man of original and independent thinking. He died in December 08, 1903.

Spencer is popularly known for his treatment of evolution. The evolutionary doctrine was no doubt the foundation of Spencer's sociological theory. He, however, presented the organic analogy, a secondary doctrine which also played a vital role in his thought system. He compared the society with a biological organism. But this comparison of the society with the biological organism was not originally propounded by Herbert Spencer. Several other philosophers had given the concept previously. He established the hypothesis that society is like a biological organism and then proceeded to defend it against all objectives with great logical force. Indeed, he regarded the recognition of the similarity between society and organism as the first step towards a general theory of evaluation.

Theory of Organic Analogy

Spencer is popularly known for his treatment of the organic analogy. The evolutionary doctrine was no doubt the foundation of Spencer's sociological theory. He however presented the organic analogy, a secondary doctrine which also played a vital role in his thought system. He established the hypothesis that society is like a biological organism and then proceeded to defend it against all objections with great logical force. But his logic proved to be his sociological downfall, for it spoiled his scientific insight.

Similarities Between Biological and Social Organisms

Spencer believed that the social structure is a living organism. He observed some similarities between biological and social organisms.

Spencer's Theory of Organic Anology

Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer was a theorist whose valuable insights have often been drowned in a sea of irrelevance and spacious reasoning. He is popularly known as the British Aristotle and often called the second founding father of sociology. Spencer's ideas have left an indelible impression on the succeeding writers. Spencer's name was associated with the birth of sociology in England. Herbert Spencer was born an April 27, 1820, in Derby in England. He was a man of original and independent thinking. He has contributed to various fields of knowledge like philosophy, biology, psychology, anthropology and sociology. Spencer wrote a number of books.

They are as follows.

1. Social Statics (1850)
2. First Principles (1862).
3. The study of Sociology (1873)
4. The Principles of Sociology in three volumes (1876-96)
5. The Man verses the State (1884) Organic Analogy: