HERBERT SPENCER

Evening Star, Issue 17394, 2 July 1920, Page 1

HERBERT SPENCER

© " A century ago Herbert. Spencer was born at Derby," says 'The Times. 1 "It is well that we should commemorate one of the gieatest of our English thinkers. True, most of his many volumes have ceased to be vital. He set himself to make a synthesis oT all scientific knowledge in the great second half of the 19th century. We, for our part, are content to define the limits of our admiration, hoping thereby better to serve a great memory. We select ' First Principles,' published in 1862, and ' The Study of Sociology,' published in 1873, as sure foundations for the future reputation of Spencer, and adequate explanation of his international influence. These {rave a philosophical' interpretation to current belief in human progress, and informed vague aspiration ' with a possible method. "They were the doctrine of self-help applied to thought. They encouraged mankind to cease calling" on metaphysical gods, and to put the shoulder of knowledge to the wheels. The conception of the ' unknowable' poured a current of chill air into the musty chambers of teleology, and at the same time provided a logical standpoint for those who wished to be guided by physical science, and yet to retain an almost religious belief in the ' Unknown.' His influence was profound in every country. One measure of it was the antagonism it encountered; another, the joy with which its decline was hailed. But we commend those who are interested in the history of thought to read O" to reread the little book on sociology. They will see how it underlies a great part of modern social effort. And we commend those wh. are attracted by a facile and uncritical snpernaturalism to read or to reread the ' Unknowable.' Doubtless it k not the last word, but it is a living word."