Herbert Spencer and Social Theory

About the Author John Offer is Professor of Social Theory and Policy, University of Ulster, UK.  He has published extensively on Spencer and aspects of the history of social policy. His previous books include An Intellectual History of British Social Policy, Herbert Spencer: Critical Assessments and Social Workers, the Community and Social Interaction. Product Description Herbert Spencer remains a significant but poorly understood figure in 19th century intellectual life. His ideas on evolution ranged across the natural sciences and philosophy, and he pioneered new ideas in psychology and sociology. This book comprehensively examines his work and strips away common misconceptions about his sociology. Review 'The last twenty years have seen a notable revivial of scholarly interest in Herbert Spencer...all of these are now eclipsed by John Offer's excellect study, which must surely remain the definitive critical treatment on the whole range of Spencer's thought for quite some time to come.' - J. D. Y. Peel, European Journal of Sociology