Spencer, Herbert

(27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) A prominent, liberal, sociological theorist and English philosopher in the Victorian era who believed that societies evolve from lower ("barbarian") to higher ("civilized") forms. He felt that if you helped the lower classes you interfere with this natural process. He also believed that the fittest members will produce a more advanced society - unless misguided do-gooders get in the way and help the less fit survive. He coined the term "Social Darwinism" which is the "survival of the fittest".1

Reference:

1Henslin, J. (2010). Sociology: A down-to-earth approach (10th ed.) Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN-13: 978-0-205-68862-3.


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