On Mr. Spencer's Data of Ethics

On Mr. Spencer's Data of Ethics by Malcolm Guthrie is a rigorous philosophical critique engaging directly with Herbert Spencer's influential work The Data of Ethics. In this analytical study, Guthrie evaluates Spencer's evolutionary approach to morality, questioning its logical foundations, assumptions about human progress, and interpretation of ethical development. With careful argumentation and scholarly precision, the book explores key themes such as utilitarianism, moral obligation, social evolution, and the scientific grounding of ethics. Situated within the intellectual debates of the late 19th century, this work provides valuable insight into Victorian moral philosophy and the broader discussion surrounding evolution and ethics. An essential text for readers interested in the history of ethical theory, social philosophy, and critiques of evolutionary moral systems.