This belief may reflect then-current ideas of Hegel (1770–1831) and of Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) which envisaged the universe gradually evolving to a higher, more perfect state.
Esta crenza pode reflectir as ideas vixentes daquela de Hegel (1770–1831) e de Herbert Spencer (1820–1903), que concibían o universo evolucionando gradualmente a un estado máis prfecto e superior.