Spencer's Philosophy of Science / The Herbert Spencer Lecture Delivered at the Museum 7 November, 1913

Name: Spencer's Philosophy of Science / The Herbert Spencer Lecture Delivered at the Museum 7 November, 1913
Author: C. Lloyd Morgan

By C. Lloyd Morgan

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Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

The lecture surveys Herbert Spencer's account of evolution as a universal process of differentiation and increasing complexity, outlining his threefold argument: empirical examples of progress from simple to complex, a causal claim that each force yields multiple effects leading to complexity, and a concluding admission of ultimate unknowability. It examines Spencer's emphasis on biological analogies within his Synthetic Philosophy, his concepts of integration alongside differentiation—parts becoming more differentiated yet more connected, and organisms differentiating from and relating to their environment—and assesses limits in Spencer's analysis of cognitive relatedness and scientific explanation.

About the Author

C. Lloyd Morgan

C. Lloyd Morgan was a prominent British psychologist and biologist, known for his significant contributions to the study of animal behavior and intelligence. His works, such as "Animal Behaviour" and "Animal Life and Intelligence," explore the cognitive processes of animals, emphasizing the importance of understanding their mental states. Morgan's approach, often referred to as the 'Morgan's Canon,' advocates for interpreting animal behavior in the simplest terms possible, avoiding anthropomorphism. Additionally, he delivered the Herbert Spencer Lecture in 1913, where he discussed the intersection of philosophy and science, further showcasing his intellectual breadth. His insights continue to influence the fields of psychology and ethology.