On Mr. Spencer's Data of Ethics

By MALCOLM GUTHRIE,
AUTHOR OF ON MR. SPENCER'S FORMULA OF EVOLUTION, & ON MR. SPENCER'S UNIFICATION OF KNOWLEDGE.
LONDON: THE MODERN PRESS, 13 and 14, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 1884. —— ( All rights reserved. )


This volume completes the critical examination of Mr. Spencer's system of Philosophy already pursued through two previous volumes entitled respectively On Mr. Spencer's Formula of Evolution, and On Mr. Spencer's Unification of Knowledge. The entire task has been undertaken by a student for the use of students. It cannot be of much use to the general reader, as it presumes and indeed requires a very intimate knowledge of Mr. Spencer's works. For those who do not wish to enter into detailed examination perhaps Chapter I. of the Unification of Knowledge will afford a good epitome of the line of criticism; and this may be followed, if desired, by a perusal of the Formula of Evolution. It is believed that the most serious piece of criticism against Mr. Spencer's system will be found in the examination of his re-constructive Biology in Chapter V. of the Unification, and in the examination of the origin of organic molecules commencing at page 30 of the Formula of Evolution. Evidently of the highest importance in a system of philosophy conceived in the manner in which Mr. Spencer presents it, this point of transition between the inorganic and the organic with its dependent histories is of the very deepest fundamental interest, and upon the question whether it is well or badly treated depends the practical value of his philosophy as applied to human concerns.
In our opinion, whatever of worth there is in Mr. Spencer's works (and there is very much), derives its value from a posteriori grounds and not from its a priori reliance upon first principles, nor from its place in a deductive system of cosmic philosophy. It has not fallen to our lot, nor has it been our object, to appraise the separate or incidental value of Mr. Spencer's works. Our view has been limited to the single object of examining them in the mode in which he presents them, as forming a connected system of philosophy. We have done so because he sets forth his works to us in this light, and evidently if they can be so accepted, it would be a gift to humanity of the highest value, for it would lend cogency to every past and confer a guidance to all future ages, forming a crowning glory to the intellectual achievements of the human race.