# Herbert Spencer — Human Nature and Conduct character guide

> Herbert Spencer in Human Nature and Conduct by John Dewey.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Spencer

**First appearance:** 0002-human-nature-and-conduct

## Who they are

English philosopher and sociologist discussed in relation to evolution and conduct.

## Relationships

### [Aristotle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/characters/aristotle)

_professional_

Aristotle and Herbert Spencer are linked as philosophers whose works on ethics and social evolution are compared in the text, though they belong to different eras.

## In the story

### [I: Impulses and Change of Habit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/i-impulses-and-change-of-habit)

Referenced implicitly through the critique of explaining social phenomena by direct reference to native powers, akin to Spencer's evolutionary psychology.

### [V: Classification of Instincts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/v-classification-of-instincts)

Dewey alludes to Spencerian evolutionary psychology in the context of classifying instincts and the influence of social conditions on such theories.

### [No Separate Instincts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/vi-no-separate-instincts)

Mentioned in the context of the 'optimistic theory of nature' and natural harmony, which Dewey critiques.

### [Habit and Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/i-habit-and-intelligence)

Mentioned for his evolutionary ideal of complete and final adaptation of organism to environment.

### [Deliberation and Calculation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/iv-deliberation-and-calculation)

Referenced implicitly through the critique of utilitarian calculation, which Spencer's evolutionary ethics also influenced.

### [Morals Are Human](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/ii-morals-are-human)

Dewey critiques Spencer's evolutionary philosophy for treating natural laws as moral norms and for justifying laissez-faire by identifying justice with the law of cause and effect.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/characters/herbert_spencer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/characters