progressivism, individualism, and the public ... - Telmarc Group

The Telmarc Group
PROGRESSIVISM, INDIVIDUALISM, AND THE PUBLIC
INTELLECTUAL
The concept of the pervasiveness of evolution for Spencer is detailed by the author where
he states 43 :
"A constant refrain in Spencer's early scientific writings was that all phenomenon of the
universe…were subject to evolution."
Further Francis states:
"Spencer's initial conception of life was not a cold and objective; he saw life as the
general impulse towards goodness and perfection, evidenced everywhere one looked."
This is a teleological outlook towards evolution, the goal being the goodness and
perfection as stated by Spencer. But was that indeed his view, and if so what drove this
end point, since Spencer was not a truly religious man. Francis states that the intelligence
was science in and of itself.
Spencer was a prolific writer and there are a continuing set of streams of an evolving set
of views. Yet Francis states that the paper "A theory of Population" written in 1852 was
the singular key to his early views. Francis argues for Spencer's views, views which
aligned with the expanding presence of Great Britain. Francis states 44 :
"…Spencer perceived his own experience and that of nature generally as "the inherent
tendency of things going towards good…" He called this vis medicatrix naturae…the
progressive quality of nature even justified…suffering…necessary for benign
progress…each conquered race or nation could acquire a liking for new modes of
living…in the future Spencer saw new modes of evolution…(and) maintain a perfect and
long lived existence for each individual."
In Chapter 15 Francis appears to get annoyed by the seminal work of Spencer, "The Man
versus the State". He speaks of Spencer's anti-utilitarianism and his hostility towards
Bentham like hedonism 45 . Francis states:
"In "The Proper Sphere of Government" he (Spencer) wrote as a Christian utilitarian
opposed to individualism and thus was hostile to those who construed happiness as if the
collective did not matter."
Francis attacks "The Man versus the State" as being inconsistent with the true meaning of
Spencer's views 46 . This is a wandering and almost incoherent presentation in the text and
43 Francis p 193.
44 Francis p 194.
45 Francis pp 248-249.
46 Francis p 249.
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