3. Herbert Spencer
(1820-1903) was known
as one of the leading
Social Darwinists of
the 19th century
was an English
philosopher and prolific
writer
4. Coined the phrase
"survival of the
fittest"
Spencer was an
agnostic who
believed that the
only way to gain
knowledge was
through a scientific
approach.
“Synthetic
Philosophy”
5. The Educational Theory of
Herbert Spencer
1. Theory of Value:
development of independent thought;
importance of presenting the "natural
history of society"
survival of the fittest;
learning as an individual effort;
6. 1.Theory of Value:
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
7. 2. Theory of Knowledge:
knowledge as the scientific study of
education, psychology, sociology, and ethics
from an evolutionary point of view;
two fundamental beliefs - importance of
science, sanctity of political and economic
laissez-faire;
philosophy is knowledge of highest
generality;
man can only know from experiences;
all thought founded on relations - humans
think in terms of differences and
likenesses
8. 3. Theory of Human Nature:
notion of intelligence as mental
capacity;
"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."
a stage of evolution
9. 4. Theory of Learning:
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"
10. 5.Theory of Transmission:
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
individual to teach self, aided by
teachers, books, observation, laboratory
work
11. 6.Theory of Society:
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
12. 7.Theory of Opportunity:
All young people should be
taught; education open to
competent children or adults
without fee;
survival of the fittest
13. 8.Theory of Consensus:
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
14. Important Matters:
Knowledge that is best
for use in life is also
best for the
development of power
Emphasis on physical
education
Importance of science
in the curriculum
