スペンサーにおける社会と教育

社会有機体説を中心として

抄録

It was during the Victorian Era that Spencer brought forth his theory of social organism, based on the equality and the freedom of man. An individual has the liberty to pursue happiness and to use his faculties for that end. Such individuals, during the process of their gradual adjustment to society, improve their own faculties, and in turn help society to prosper. The theory of social organism aims at the happiness of the individual, and in this differs from the theory of biological organism.
Spencer's educational ideas were based on this sociological point of view. Man needs education in order to adjust to society. Education aims at equipping man for a perfect life, and for that end must endeavour to develop his mental and physical faculties in a well-balanced fashion. Moral education must be based on intellectual training. And the method of education should be such that would encourage an individual to use his capacities voluntarily to acquire knowledge.
Spencer advocated an education which placed importance on the individual and which aimed at a harmonious adjustment of man to society.