The Data of Ethics

How the principles of social evolution apply to ethics, according to one of the founders of Social Darwinism.

Herbert Spencer (Author)

9781108040853, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 February 2012

302 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.7 cm, 0.39 kg

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.

Preface
1. Conduct in general
2. The evolution of conduct
3. Good and bad conduct
4. Ways of judging conduct
5. The physical view
6. The biological view
7. The psychological view
8. The sociological view
9. Criticisms and explanations
10. The relativity of pains and pleasures
11. Egoism versus altruism
12. Altruism versus egoism
13. Trial and compromise
14. Conciliation
15. Absolute ethics and relative ethics
16. The scope of ethics.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]