Liberty Fund Books

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Spencer provides us with an intellectual adventure rarely matched, especially in our own epoch.

—From the Introduction

Though almost forgotten today, Herbert Spencer ranks as one of the foremost individualist philosophers. His influence in the latter half of the nineteenth century was immense.

Spencer's name is usually linked with Darwin's, for it was he who penned the phrase, "survival of the fittest." Today in America he is most often admired for his trenchant essays in The Man Versus the State. But Spencer himself considered The Principles of Ethics to be his finest work. In the second volume, under "Justice," is his final statement on the role of the state. His formula for justice is summed up in these words: "Every man is free to do that which he wills, provided he infringes not the equal freedom of any other man."

Table of Contents

Table of Contents for Volume I

Herbert Spencer: A Century Later, by Tibor R. Machan 9

General Preface 23

Preface to Volume I 29

Preface to Part I 31

PART I
THE DATA OF ETHICS

1. Conduct in General 37
2. The Evolution of Conduct 43
3. Good and Bad Conduct 57
4. Ways of Judging Conduct 81
5. The Physical View 99
6. The Biological View 111
7. The Psychological View 137
8. The Sociological View 165
9. Criticisms and Explanations 183
10. The Relativity of Pains and Pleasures 205
11. Egoism Versus Altruism 217
12. Altruism Versus Egoism 231
13. Trial and Compromise 249
14. Conciliation 271
15. Absolute and Relative Ethics 287
16. The Scope of Ethics 309

Appendix to Part I 317

PART II
THE INDUCTIONS OF ETHICS

1. The Confusion of Ethical Thought 339
2. What Ideas and Sentiments Are Ethical? 357
3. Aggression 371
4. Robbery 383
5. Revenge 393
6. Justice 401
7. Generosity 411
8. Humanity 423
9. Veracity 433
10. Obedience 443
11. Industry 455
12. Temperance 467
13. Chastity 481
14. Summary of Inductions 497

PART III
THE ETHICS OF INDIVIDUAL LIFE

1. Introductory 509
2. Activity 517
3. Rest 525
4. Nutrition 531
5. Stimulation 539
6. Culture 545
7. Amusements 555
8. Marriage 563
9. Parenthood 575
10. General Conclusions 585

References 593
Index to Volume I 601

Table of Contents for Volume II

Preface to Volume II 11

Preface to Part IV 15

PART IV
THE ETHICS OF SOCIAL LIFE: JUSTICE

1. Animal Ethics 19
2. Subhuman Justice 25
3. Human Justice 33
4. The Sentiment of Justice 41
5. The Idea of Justice 51
6. The Formula of Justice 61
7. The Authority of This Formula 65
8. Its Corollaries 79
9. The Right to Physical Integrity 81
10. The Rights to Free Motion and Locomotion 89
11. The Rights to the Uses of Natural Media 97
12. The Right of Property 111
13. The Right of Incorporeal Property 121
14. The Rights of Gift and Bequest 135
15. The Rights of Free Exchange and Free Contract 143
16. The Right to Free Industry 149
17. The Rights of Free Belief and Worship 153
18. The Rights of Free Speech and Publication 157
19. A Retrospect with an Addition 165
20. The Rights of Women 175
21. The Rights of Children 185
22. Political Rights—So-Called 193
23. The Nature of the State 201
24. The Constitution of the State 209
25. The Duties of the State 221
26. The Limits of State Duties 235
27. The Limits of State Duties—Continued 247
28. The Limits of State Duties—Continued 257
29. The Limits of State Duties—Concluded 271

PART V
THE ETHICS OF SOCIAL LIFE: NEGATIVE BENEFICENCE

1. Kinds of Altruism 283
2. Restraints on Free Competition 297
3. Restraints on Free Contract 307
4. Restraints on Undeserved Payments 317
5. Restraints on Displays of Ability 325
6. Restraints on Blame 331
7. Restraints on Praise 339
8. The Ultimate Sanctions 347

PART VI
THE ETHICS OF SOCIAL LIFE: POSITIVE BENEFICENCE

1. Marital Beneficence 353
2. Parental Beneficence 361
3. Filial Beneficence 369
4. Aiding the Sick and the Injured 373
5. Succor to the Ill-Used and the Endangered 379
6. Pecuniary Aid to Relatives and Friends 387
7. Relief of the Poor 393
8. Social Beneficence 411
9. Political Beneficence 425
10. Beneficence at Large 437

APPENDICES

Appendix A. The Kantian Idea of Rights 451
Appendix B. The Land Question 455
Appendix C. The Moral Motive 461
Appendix D. Conscience in Animals 469
Appendix E. Replies to Criticisms 483
References 505
Index to Volume II 511