# Herbert Spencer — Pragmatism character guide

> Herbert Spencer in Pragmatism by William James.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Herbert Spencer, Spencer, Mr. Spencer, himself

**First appearance:** 0003-lecture-i-the-present-dilemma-in-philosophy

## Who they are

The evolutionary philosopher whose grand system James invokes as a foil, the kind of universe that lends itself to lengthy professorial discourse.

## In the story

### [Lecture III: Some Metaphysical Problems Pragmatically Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pragmatism_se/chapters/lecture-iii-some-metaphysical-problems-pragmatically-considered)

Cited for arguing that matter is infinitely refined and that both 'matter' and 'spirit' are symbols of an unknowable reality; also criticized for ignoring the practical future consequences of materialism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pragmatism_se/characters/herbert_spencer
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