ABSTRACT
Spencer and his readers are committed in advance to a definitely wrought out, a rounded and closed interpretation of the universe. It shows the individualistic creed dominant, militant; no longer a principle of criticism, but of reform and construction in social life, and, therefore, of necessity a formula of construction in the intellectual sphere. In all, and through all, runs the idea of 'nature' that nature to which the social and philosophical reformation of the eighteenth century appealed with such unhesitating and sublime faith. Spencer’s work is rightfully entitled to the place it occupies in the popular imagination. Philosophy is naturally and properly technical and remote to the mass of mankind, save as it takes shape in social and political philosophy—in a theory of conduct which, being more than individual, serves as a principle of criticism and reform in corporate affairs and community welfare.
