A System of Synthetic Philosophy

by Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

This online edition of Herbert Spencer’s Synthetic Philosophy is a work in progress.

First Principles
Principles of Biology
Principles of Psychology
Principles of Sociology
Principles of Ethics

FIRST PRINCIPLES

Preface to the Sixth Edition
Preface to the Fourth Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition

Part I: The Unknowable

1. Religion and Science
2. Ultimate Religious Ideas
3. Ultimate Scientific Ideas
4. The Relativity of All Knowledge
5. The Reconciliation

Part II: The Knowable

1. Philosophy Defined
2. The Data of Philosophy
3. Space, Time, Matter, Motion, and Force
4. The Indestructibility of Matter
5. The Continuity of Motion
6. The Persistence of Force
7. The Persistence of Relations Among Forces
8. The Transformation and Equivalence of Forces
9. The Direction of Motion
10. The Rhythm of Motion
11. Recapitulation, Criticism, and Recommencement
12. Evolution and Dissolution
13. Simple and Compound Evolution
14. The Law of Evolution
15. The Law of Evolution Continued
16. The Law of Evolution Continued
17. The Law of Evolution Continued
18. The Interpretation of Evolution
19. The Instability of the Homogeneous: Exemplifying Instability at Large
20. The Multiplication of Effects
21. Segregation
22. Equilibration
23. Dissolution
24. Summary and Conclusion

Appendix A. Note to Chapters 17 and 19
Appendix B. Dealing with Certain Criticisms
Appendix C. Dealing with Some Criticisms of Prof. Ward
Appendix D. The Genesis of Gaseous Nebulć

PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY

PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY

PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY

PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS

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