First Principles

Name: First Principles
Author: Herbert Spencer

By Herbert Spencer

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About This Book

A philosopher argues for a foundational account of knowledge and reality by asserting an Absolute that transcends human conception and by treating the Unknowable as the point of reconciliation between scientific inquiry and religious feeling. He derives broad laws said to apply across all classes of phenomena and outlines how these first principles will inform systematic studies of organic life, mental processes, social institutions, and moral conduct. The work emphasizes inductive generalization, frames evolution and developmental change as explanatory tools, and presents a programme for applying these core concepts throughout a comprehensive synthetic philosophy.

About the Author

Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) was an English philosopher and sociologist known for his contributions to the development of social theory and evolutionary biology. He is often associated with the phrase "survival of the fittest," which he used to describe the process of natural selection. Spencer's works encompass a wide range of topics, including ethics, education, and the philosophy of science. His notable publications include "First Principles," where he outlines his philosophical framework, and "Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects," which reflects his views on the role of education in society. Spencer's ideas have had a lasting impact on both sociology and philosophy.