The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-14
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Herbert Spencer.
To the Editor Of The JOURNAL

To the Editor Of The Journal
Herbert Spencer, the intellectual Goliath
Of modern England is dead The MASTER
mind that held in the firmest grasp all the
treasures OF modern knowledge is no more.
To England or. at least to the vast
,the,si1tless mass Of England.s children
this, fact: is probably Of less significance
than II 1t were the passing away of the
Wearer OF a crown, or of some scion of
royalty. And yet what is the worth Of
All wearers Of crowns compared with that
of one Herbert Spencer2 49,. 4
T : Herbert Spencer has been spoken of as
the N odern Aristotle.z No better ,compari-
son could be made. What distinguishes
these two philosophers from all others is
that both were investigators, scientists,
and masters Of the. entire store of knowl-.
edge existing in their times as much as
philosophers. systema Tiers, reducing all
knowledge to principles and laws. The
system of philosophy associated with his
name was not evolved by Herbert Spencer,
spider web like, from his inner conscious
ness, but 1t is bTf1t hpon' a1f The facts
= known to modern science, and it is4cer-
tainly the most complete, best-rounded
system that has yet been produced by
thinking mind: This is the real merit Of
spencer's philosophy: It is inductive,
taking account. first, of all. the facts of
modern knowledge, and it is con1plete.
| No one, not even the most devoted dis
his master has spoken the last word of
philosophy. that, like MuhomIned in his
own estimation, he is the seal of the
prophets There is no finality in philoso-
ply. Systems go and systems come. and
ma MS mind searches and builds on for
ever. What new discoveries may not yet
be made in the universe and III the realm
of mind in particular. that will overthrow
| our most firmly grounded theories; altho
| 1t would seem that the fundamental doc
trine of spencer.s philosophy, the theory
4 Of evolurion; was unassailahle. = .....
| But aside from the theory Of evolution,
there are many theories, ideas, and con-
illusions In Spencer's philosophy that
have. provoked sharp criticism and, we
might say, have even been disproved and
ovefthrown by other thinkers. We may
pick out, as illustrations, the Alpha and
the Omega Of his principles Of sociology;
his theory Of the origin. of religion, and his
conclusions :on industrial institutions. All
religion, according to Spencer. originated
in ancestor Worship, the Precipitation of
ghosts. All gods are primarily, magnified
ghosts. 1t is an old idea, that was first
entertained by a certain Euhemerus of
ancient Greece --..-.-...--- -.-. -.
|! But the majority of earnest students and
independent Investigators Of the world s
i religions are on this point in total dis
agreement with Spencer. While ancestor
worship is generally found in primitive
cults and is very likely one Of the roots
of religion, yet it Is by no means the only
root. the only origin Of all religion.
With regard to social and industrial in
I.stltutlons: Herbert Spencer is an extreme
Iindividuaist. While he believes and
dem onstrsttes that our present system of
industrial competition must ultimately re-
suit in industrial cooperation, yet this Co
operation must and will be entirely vol
untary. He is strenuously opposed to all
governmental interference. There is NO
more reason for free popular education,
Z free schools supported by the municipality
or state than there is for free soup
houses, or free distribution Of grain as in
ancient. Rome. Governmental functions
shall properly not extend beyond the func-
tons Of police. Here, too. Spencer Is OPP
!. noseds by. the great majority of modern
] thinkers, and all his theories are over
5 Thrown by the tendencies of modern indus
!. trial development. The vast combinations
land concentrations of capital on the one
hand, and of labor, on the other, will learn
! Ito cooperate peacefully and harmonious
lily only under governmental control.
III Then again. religionists can never be
; lreconciled to Spencer's agnosticism And
s]yet it has done more for the cause Of pure
able, will always remain the sphere Of re-
religion, that all the creeds and theologies
combined. He has dethroned supersti-
ton, but true religion stin wears a dia-
dem of undin1inished splendor. AS he
. himself admits, the sphere Of the unknow-
able will always remain the sphere OF re.
) ligious contemplation, reverence and awe
In the realm of the unknowable; maj
: finds his object Of alteration and worship
: And is not Spencer's god, tho unknowa.ble
!. far more: worthy of our alteration than the
god Of popular superstitions?
. 4: Herbert Spencer's life was the exempli
1eation of the noble religion he ha:
preached to his generation. the religion o.
4 truth and justice, courage and virtue. He
+. was not only an intellectual giant but &
!. moral giant as we'll He lived for the
truth, and was ever ready to bring an,
. sacrifice for. it. What cared he for the
! !honors, distinctions, glories, and all the
lfother vanities of the world? To tell hi.
generation the truth as It appeared to hi.
. Iealumined mind was his, only concern. Hon
1 lors. titles and distinctions he scornfull.
lrefused. Had he not done So what al
larray of ca pital DIS and other capital let
tiers he could have mustered after hi
name. Proud Albion! To have given tn,
world a myriad minded Shakspere, and 6
lunive minded Spencer.
Rabbi S. n. Deinard.