First Principles

Herbert Spencer’s First Principles offers a comprehensive exploration of the philosophy of evolution, encompassing physical, biological, social, and metaphysical ideas. Divided into two parts—The Unknowable and The Knowable—the work presents Spencer's perspectives on theology, science, and social progress within the context of a society shaped by Christian beliefs. Influencing many 19th and 20th-century thinkers, this influential text continues to be a foundational source in understanding the development of evolutionary thought.