Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 09.djvu/36

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SPENCER, HERBERT 18 SPENSER, EDMUND how the law of evolution was ^adually realized in life, mind, society, and morality. In pursuance of this compre- hensive design Spencer published "First Principles" (1862); "Principles of Biology" (2 vols. 1864-1867) ; "Princi- ples of Psychology" (2d ed. 2 vols. 1870- 1872) ; "Principles of Sociology" (3 vols. 1876-1896) ; "Principles of Ethics" (2 vols. 1879). The method of his "System" is deduc- tive; though the deductions, large and small, are always accompanied by in- ductive verifications. Metaphysically Spencer's system is founded on the doctrine of relativity de- duced by Hamilton and Mansel from Kant, but carried by him, as he says, a step further. Along with the definite consciousness of things known in rela- tion to one another there is implied an indefinite consciousness of an absolute existence, in the recognition of which as inscrutable science and religion find their reconciliation. The principles of morality are looked on by Spencer as the copestone of his system, all his other investigations being only preliminary to them. Ethics, he holds, has its root in physical, bio- logical, psychological, and social phe- nomena, for by them the conditions of human activity are prescribed and sup- plied. The best conduct is that which most fully realizes evolution — which promotes the greatest totality of life in self, offspring, and the race — the balance of egoism and altruism being attained by a compromise between these contend- ing principles. The measure of life is said to be pleasure, but the Utilitarian school is at fault in assuming that the end (greatest happiness) is better known than the means to it (morality) ; and in ignoring the fact that accumu- lated experiences of utility have become consolidated in the superior races into a moral sense. Modern scientists are generally dis- posed to regard Spencer as out-of-date, but it should be remembered that he deeply influenced contemporary specula- tion and was one of the few modern thinkers who carried out the attempt to give a systematic account of the universe in its totality. He died December 8, 1903. SPENCER, SELDEN PALMER, a United States Senator from Missouri, born in Erie, Pa., in 1862. He graduated from Yale in 1884, and from the law department of Washington University in 1886. He engaged in the practice of law in St. Louis in the same year. He served as a member of the State House of Representatires in 1895-1896, and as judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit of Mis- souri, from 1897 to 1903. He was a successful candidate for the United States Senate in 1905, and was elected in 1918 to fill the unexpired term of William J. Stone. SPENCER GULF, an extensive inlet of South Australia; length about 200 miles, breadth at widest about 90 miles, and at inner extremity about 3 miles. SPENDER, E. HAROLD, a British author and journalist, born at Bath, England, in 1864. He was educated at Bath College and was Exhibitioner at University College, Oxford. He went on the staff of the "Echo" in 1887, and in 1889 became lecturer for the Oxford University Extension Delegacy. He was on the staff of the "Pall Mall Gazette," 1891-1893; "Westminster Gazette," 1893- 1895; "Daily Chronicle," 1895-1899; "Manchester Guardian," 1899-1900, and "Daily News," 1900-1914. He devoted himself to propaganda during the World War. His works include: "Story of the Home Rule Session"; "At the Sign of the Guillotine"; "Through the High Pyrenees"; "The Arena"; "Home Rule"; "General Botha"; "David Lloyd George." SPENSER, EDMUND, one of the major English poets, born in London in 1552; educated at the Merchant Taylors' School and at Pembroke College, Cam- bridge. His parents were in moderate circumstances, and he owed his educa- tion to certain charitable foundations. EDMUND SPENSER His preparation for college was directed by Richard Mulcaster, one of the most famous schoolmasters of his time, who believed in educating not the mind alone, or the' body alone, but "the whole man." Spenser's knowledge of the classics was