Principles of Sociology

Bibliographic Data

ID7101581
AuthorsHerbert Spencer-González (0000-0003-1484-4477, corresponding author), Herbert Spencer (corresponding author)
Year2025
Pages65-82
Publication date2025-08-08
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenuePrinciples of Sociology (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.4324/9781003263838-9
OpenAlexW1547601285
ISBN9781003263838
LanguageEN
Citations received199

Herbert Spencer sought to unify all of the sciences and ethics under a common set of theoretical principles loosely derived from the physics of his time and outlined in First Principles (1862). Principles of was a later work in Spencer's grand scheme, with the first installments appearing in 1874 and continuing until 1896. re-issue of the complete volumes of this great work will stimulate renewed interest in Spencer's sociology, not just as an historical curiosity, but as a body of work that can still inform sociology. Indeed, at a time when it seems sociology has mined its classics for all the gold they contain, Spencer's work provides a mother lode of new treasures. Sociologists and others will be surprised at the profound insights they will find in Principles of Sociology. This complete three volume set of Principles is divided into eight Parts. Part I sets up the approach for the rest of the volumes. Here, Spencer distinguishes the inorganic, organic, and superorganic realms of the universe, with the most important comparison being the differences between the organic and superorganic. most well-known sections appear in Part II on The Introductions of Sociology where the similarities and differences between superorganic and organic bodies are introduced. However, there is much more to Part II because here the basic theory is developed, which still informs contemporary sociology. Approximately two thirds of Principles of is dedicated to analysis of human institutional systems. In these pages, which comprise Parts III-VIII of Principles, Spencer mobilizes even more data to develop specific principles about the operation of institutional systems. Principles of is filled with insights and still worthwhile principles on the dynamics of human organization. Portrayals of Spencer as a naive functionalist and advocate of laissez-faire are inaccurate and unfair, as these volumes demonstrate. Spencer presents us with a set of principles about the operation of human societies. This book will be essential to sociologists, and others professionally interested in social science theory and the history of ideas

Curiosity · Epistemology · Reflexive pronoun · Set (abstract data type · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Philosophy · Psychology

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