Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer was a 19th-century British philosopher known for applying natural science concepts to society, advocating a form of social Darwinism. He believed that societies evolve like organisms, suggesting that progress is a natural outcome of competition and adaptation. This view implies a kind of historical determinism, where social structures evolve through time. Spencer's ideas influenced conservative thought by supporting less government intervention, positing that social inequalities are natural. He emphasized individualism and believed that progress happens naturally, often aligning with laissez-faire economics and the belief in minimal state interference in social affairs.