The Data of Ethics (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781108040853)

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903), Victorian philosopher, biologist, sociologist and political theorist, one of the founders of Social Darwinism and author of the phrase 'survival of the fittest', was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1902, losing out to Theodor Mommsen. Spencer left his post at The Economist in 1857 to focus on writing his ten-volume System of Synthetic Philosophy, a work that offers an ethics-based guide to human conduct to replace that provided by conventional religious belief. Published in 1879, this volume seeks to demonstrate that social evolution tends towards greater individualism, altruism and co-operation. Spencer argues that it is possible to establish rules of right conduct on a scientific basis, and declares that this work is the culmination of his life's study. He was anxious to publish it outside the planned order of the System, because he feared (wrongly) that his death would prevent its completion.

Author: Herbert Spencer
ISBN-10: 1108040853
ISBN-13: 9781108040853
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 02/23/2012
Pages: 302
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.68d