In the World of Education

PRINCESS JOY D. GAVILEÑO

RITA MONDAY
INTRODUCTION: THE LIFE OF
HERBERT SPENCER

Herbert Spencer, (born April 27, 1820, Derby,

Derbyshire, England—died December 8, 1903,
Brighton, Sussex), English sociologist and philosopher,
an early advocate of the theory of evolution, who
achieved an influential synthesis of knowledge,
advocating the preeminence of the individual over
society and of science over religion.
(Acton, 2019)

Philosopher Herbert Spencer. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/
philosopher-herbert-spencer-mn003615
 THE LIFE OF
INTRODUCTION: HERBERT SPENCER
• He is best remembered for his doctrine of social
Darwinism.

 Social Darwinism- is the conflict between social

groups which results in the most socially capable
or fit group coming out on top as the winner,
usually in terms of influence and wealth.

Philosopher Herbert Spencer. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/
(Acton, 2019) philosopher-herbert-spencer-mn003615
 THE LIFE OF
INTRODUCTION: HERBERT SPENCER
• Coined the phrase, “SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST”

 Refers to the most adaptable species being able

to live.

• Herbert Spencer was an agnostic who believed

that the only way to gain knowledge was
through scientific approach.

• He took part on the thought of “SYNTHETIC

PHILOSOPHY” Philosopher Herbert Spencer. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/
(Acton, 2019) philosopher-herbert-spencer-mn003615
INTRODUCTION: OPPOSITION TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

• He did not believe in the public school system.

His major criticism of the school system was it did
not prepare children to live in society.

• Instead, Spencer believed in the private school

system which compared for the brightest
student. Because of his belief in competition
conflict and struggle Spencer felt that the most
exemplary schools would eventually acquire the
best teachers and students. Philosopher Herbert Spencer. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/
(Acton, 2019) philosopher-herbert-spencer-mn003615
INTRODUCTION: Education and Schooling

• Spencer never loved old traditions.

• He wants to lead children to a very high ideal by developing his
interests.
• On the educational system of his times adequate attention was
not paid to the future preparation of children.
• Spencer identified five types of activities in the curriculum.
1. Self-preservation
2. Indirect self-preservation
3. Rearing of offspring
4. Citizenship
5. Leisure of life
Philosopher Herbert Spencer. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/
philosopher-herbert-spencer-mn003615
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Value: What knowledge and skills are worthwhile learning?
1. What are the goals of education?
It highlights the importance of the following:

study of nature and fundamentals of science

development of independent thought
presenting the "natural history of society"
sociology

goals of education-promote competition, Individualism, "survival of the

fittest"

(Seidenberger, 2000) learning as an individual effort

 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Value: What knowledge and skills are worthwhile learning?
1. What are the goals of education?
It highlights the importance of the following:
…cont.
education should be directed to self-preservation, care of offspring,
preparing adults to enjoy nature, literature, fine arts, prepare to be
good citizens
knowledge of science worth more than any other knowledge

train the memory, cultivate judgment, impart an admirable moral and

religious discipline

advocacy of instruction in public and private hygiene

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Knowledge: What is knowledge?
2. How is it different from belief?
What is a mistake? A lie?
It highlights the importance of the following:
knowledge as the scientific study of education, psychology, sociology, and
ethics from an evolutionary point of view (Eiseman, p. 153)

two fundamental beliefs -- importance of science, sanctity of political and

economic laissez-faire

philosophy is knowledge of highest generality

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Knowledge: What is knowledge?
2. How is it different from belief?
What is a mistake? A lie?
It highlights the importance of the following:
…cont. philosophy is completely unified knowledge

man can only know from experiences

all thought founded on relations -- humans think in terms of differences and

likenesses

ideas are expressions of relationships

(Seidenberger, 2000) between things
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Human Nature:What is a human being?
3. How does it differ from other species?
What are the limits of human potential?
It highlights the importance of the following:

notion of intelligence as mental capacity (Borgatta, p. 941)

individual organisms, species, political systems, and entire societies are alike
in that all tend to evolve from relatively simple and homogeneous entities
into complex and heterogeneous ones
only the fittest survive and perpetuate their kind

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Human Nature:What is a human being?
3. How does it differ from other species?
What are the limits of human potential?
It highlights the importance of the following:
…cont.
concept of organic evolution--all nature moves from the simple
to the complex -fundamental law seen in the evolution of human
society as it is seen in the geological transformation of the earth
and in the origin and development of plant and animal species,
natural selection

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Human Nature:What is a human being?
How does it differ from other species?
3. What are the limits of human potential?
…cont. It highlights the importance of the following:
"If they are sufficiently complete to live, they do live, and it is well they
should live. If they are not sufficiently complete to live, they die, and it is
best they should die." (Eiseman, p. 154);

man is result of adaptation to the environment

man is what he is because his universe, his environment, makes certain

consistent and definite demands upon him (Frost, p. 77)

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER

Theory of Learning: What is learning?

4. How are skills and knowledge acquired?
It highlights the importance of the following:
learning as an individual effort learning as synthesis of all thought

learning should be collaborative

good training of the senses to observe accurately; "rational explanation of

phenomena" (Spencer, ix)
pupil sees and records for self-, children habitually experience the normal
consequences of their conduct
importance of motivation and interest of students & variety of instruction
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Transmission: Who is to teach?
5. By what methods?
What will the curriculum be?
It highlights the importance of the following:
science as the most important subject matter

curriculum to be a synthesis of thought based on science (especially

evolution), and including philosophies of education, biology, psychology,
sociology, ethics, and politics (Magill)

sciences are superior in all respects to languages as educational material

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Transmission: Who is to teach?
5. By what methods?
What will the curriculum be?
It highlights the importance of the following:
…cont. history -- nature and action of government, intellectual condition
of the nation, description of people's food, shelters, and
amusements, importance of drawing in education (Spencer, p.
xiv)

individual to teach self, aided by teachers, books, observation,

laboratory work

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Society: What is society?
6. What instruments are involved in the
educational process?
It highlights the importance of the following:
Society evolves from relatively simple and homogeneous entities into
complex and heterogeneous ones
progress of all kinds should be maximized by societies and governments
that allow free competition to reign in all spheres of activity
unregulated free enterprise

survival of the fittest

right of the individual and non-interference
(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Society: What is society?
6. What instruments are involved in the
educational process?
It highlights the importance of the following:
…cont. society as an individual organism (Eiseman, p. 153)

competition in harmony with nature and in interest of general welfare and

progress, Social Darwinism (Spencerism): total view of life which justified
opposition to social reform on the basis that reform interfered with the
operation of natural law of survival of the fittest

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Society: What is society?
6. What instruments are involved in the
educational process?
It highlights the importance of the following:
…cont. narrow view of role of state
society as an organism (Magill)
objection to constant exercise of authority and compulsion in schools,
families, and the state
survival of the fittest dependent upon group life, society is essential -- each
individual restricted by rights of others

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Society: What is society?
6. What instruments are involved in the
educational process?
…cont. It highlights the importance of the following:
danger of complete state control-- suppression of individual (Frost, p. 204)

natural selection process guiding force of social development

in society consciousness exists only in each member (Osborne, p. 137)

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Opportunity: Who is to be educated?
7. Who is to be schooled?

It highlights the importance of the following:

All young people should be taught; education open to

competent children or adults without fee; survival of the fittest

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY OF HERBERT SPENCER
Theory of Consensus: Why do people disagree?
8. How is consensus achieved?
Whose opinion takes precedence?
It highlights the importance of the following:

No beliefs are wholly false; they are true to the point to which they all
agree; eliminate the discordant elements and observe what remains
after; this is truth and should take precedence

(Seidenberger, 2000)
 IMPLICATION ON EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES TODAY

• The competition against each other in trying to attract the

brightest students and most capable teachers.

• Education todays continues to be influenced by Spencer’s Social

Darwinist theories. In fact, the curriculum activities based on
human need are still being implemented in one form or another.

(Seidenberger, 2000)
THANK YOU!
 References:
Philosopher Herbert Spencer. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/philosopher-herbert-spencer-
mn003615
Acton, H. (2019). Henry Spencer. Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

Borgatta, E. F. (Ed.). (1992). Encyclopedia of sociology (Volume 1-2). New York: Macmillan.

Eiseman, C. H. (Ed.). (1973). The McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of world biography (Vols. 1-12). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Frost, S. E. Jr. (Ed.). (1962). Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc.

Magill, F. N. (Ed.). (1987). Great lives from history: British and Commonwealth Series. Salem Press.

Osborne, R. (1992). Philosophy for Beginners. New York: Writers and Readers Publishing, Inc.

Spencer, H. (1911). Essays of education and kindred subjects. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd.