First Principles (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Herbert Spencer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1333093462 ISBN 13: 9781333093464

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Excerpt from First Principles

Nor has the rej ection Of primitive political beliefs, resulted only in transfen the authority of an autocrat to a repre sentative body. The views entertained respecting govern ments In general, of whatever form, are now widely different from those once entertained. Whether popular or despotic, governments Were in ancient times supposed to have unlimited authority over their subjects. Individuals existed for the benefit of the State; not the State for the benefit of in dividuals. In our days, however, not only has the national will been in many cases substituted for the will of the king but the exercise of this national will has been restricted to a much smaller sphere; In England, for instance, though there has been established no definite theory setting bounds to govern mental authority yet, in practice, sundry bounds have been set to it which are tacitly recognized by all. There is no organic law formally declaring that the legislature may not freely dispose Of the citizens' lives, as early kings did when they sacrificed hecatombs of victims; but were it possible for our legislature to attempt such a thing, its own destruction would be the consequence, rather than the destruction of citizens. How entirely we have established the personal liberties of the subject against the invasions of State-power.

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About this title

Book Description

In 1862, philosopher Herbert Spencer published this preamble to a planned series of publications on biology, psychology, sociology and morality. In it, he argues that religion and science can be reconciled in the underlying unity from which the visible complexity of the universe has evolved.

About the Author

Andrew Dickson White (1832-1918) did more than any other American to impress upon late nineteenth- and twentieth century thought the idea that science and religion are enemies locked in combat on an almost military scale. In 1849, he entered Geneva College and later enrolled in Yale. After graduating, White joined the University of Michigan as a lecturer in history. He returned to New York and won election to the state senate. Finally, White went on to become the first president and cofounder of Cornell University. He also is the author of books, including Seven Great Statesmen in the Warfare of Humanity with Unreason and a 1906 autobiography.

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) was an English philosopher, political theorist, sociological theorist, author, and editor. He served in the later capacity for the "Economist" from 1843 to 1853. He is perhaps best known for applying evolutionary theory to social development and coined the term "survival of the fittest." His best known works are "Man versus the State" and the multi-volume "System of Synthetic Philosophy".

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1333093462
• ISBN 13: 9781333093464
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 515