First Principles by Herbert Spencer

"First Principles" by Herbert Spencer is a philosophical treatise written in the mid-19th century. The work is part of a larger series that aims to establish a systematic understanding of philosophy grounded in science, religion, and human experience. It explores the interplay between religion and science, seeking to reconcile their seemingly opposing views on existence and knowledge, and discusses the underlying truths present across various belief systems. The opening of the treatise introduces the ambitious scope of Spencer’s work, as he presents a framework for his philosophical inquiry. He begins with a discussion on the nature of human beliefs, suggesting that even widely-held misconceptions may contain elements of truth. By analyzing the historical perspectives on authority and governance, Spencer underscores the evolution of political thought from divine kingship to modern democratic ideals. He proposes that there is a common thread among all religions and philosophies — the acknowledgment of fundamental truths concerning existence that are often obscured by dogma. Thus, the groundwork is laid for his exploration of "the unknowable" and the "laws of the knowable," setting the stage for a deeper analysis of both the limitations and possibilities of human understanding. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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Author Spencer, Herbert, 1820-1903
Title First Principles
Note Reading ease score: 40.1 (College-level). Difficult to read.
Credits Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive)
Language English
LoC Class B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
Subject Philosophy and religion
Subject Evolution
Subject Knowledge, Theory of
Category Text
EBook-No. 55046
Release Date
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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