Short, structured notes with Q&A on Herbert Spencer – Organicism & Social Evolution for your Sociology

 

Short, structured notes with Q&A on Herbert Spencer – Organicism & Social Evolution for your Sociology

By-Subrata Sir 

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Herbert Spencer

(1) Organicism

• Spencer compared society to a living organism (like the human body).

• Just as organs in a body perform specialized functions, social institutions (family, economy, polity, religion, etc.) perform specialized functions in society.

• Key Features:

  1. Interdependence – like body parts, social institutions depend on each other.

  2. Differentiation – as societies evolve, they become more specialized (e.g., division of labour).

  3. Integration – despite differentiation, all parts work together to maintain the whole.

• Difference from organism: In society, individuals have self-consciousness and mobility, unlike cells of the body.

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(2) Social Evolution

• Spencer applied Darwin’s theory of evolution (“survival of the fittest”) to society.

• He believed societies evolve from simple → complex, homogeneous → heterogeneous, military → industrial.

• Stages of Evolution:

  1. Simple societies – small, undifferentiated, kin-based.

  2. Compound societies – larger, with some division of labour.

  3. Doubly & trebly compound – even larger, more complex.

  4. Industrial society – based on cooperation, voluntary relations, individualism.

• Military vs. Industrial Society:

  • Military: based on compulsion, hierarchy, conquest.

  • Industrial: based on voluntary cooperation, contract, freedom.

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Q&A Section

Q1. What is Spencer’s concept of Organicism?
Ans: Spencer compared society with a living organism, where different institutions perform specialized functions and remain interdependent. Like body parts, all institutions work together to maintain social order, but unlike organisms, individuals in society are self-conscious.

Q2. Explain Spencer’s theory of Social Evolution.
Ans: Spencer believed societies evolve from simple to complex forms, from homogeneous to heterogeneous, and from military (coercive) to industrial (cooperative) societies. He explained this using the principle of “survival of the fittest.”

Q3. Differentiate between Military and Industrial society.
Ans:

• Military: based on compulsion, hierarchy, domination.

• Industrial: based on cooperation, voluntary association, freedom.

Q4. Why is Spencer called a Social Darwinist?
Ans: Because he applied Darwin’s idea of natural selection and “survival of the fittest” to human society, explaining progress and competition among individuals and groups.