The Evolution of Society: Selections from Herbert Spencer's Principles of Sociology

The University of Chicago Press, Chicago & London, 1967. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Good/Poor Condition. 700 g; LVIII, 246 pages, last five pages blank, includes references cited, index. Photographic illustrated dustwrapper. The top edge of the text block shows signs of foxing, and there is some softness to the hinges. The text appears to be free of any marginalia. The dust jacket is badly rubbed, and chipped, with the front fold over flap almost detached. Now protected. Bertrand Russell, in his History of Western Philosophy, does not even mention Spencer. The reason was twofold: the principal subject of his investigation -- cultural evolution -- began to lose popularity at the beginning of the 20th century; also, many of his most illuminating ideas had been absorbed into the general domain of modern thought. A reverse trend has now set in, however. The study of cultural evolution is once again being actively pursued, and Spencer is beginning to be recognised as the thinker who first organised ideas about cultural evolution in a way that made intelligible the broad sweep of human history. There is also renewed recognition of the fact that Spencer was instrumental in winning support for the theory of organic evolution." -- front fold over blurb Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Anthropology; Sociology; philosophy; Inventory No: 0216483. .