In simple societies where the parts are basically alike, they can be easily substituted for one another. But in complex societies, the actions of one part which fails in its function cannot be assumed by other parts. Complex societies are therefore more vulnerable and more fragile in structure than their earlier and ruder pl predecessors 2021/221
2021/2/21 31 • In simple societies, where the parts are basically alike, they can be easily substituted for one another. But in complex societies, "the actions of one part which fails in its function cannot be assumed by other parts." Complex societies are therefore more vulnerable and more fragile in structure than their earlier and ruder predecessors
The increasing mutual dependence of unlike parts in complex societies, and the vulnerability it brings in its wake necessitate the emergence of a" regulating system"that controls the actions of the parts and insures their coordination 2021/221 32
2021/2/21 32 • The increasing mutual dependence of unlike parts in complex societies, and the vulnerability it brings in its wake necessitate the emergence of a "regulating system" that controls the actions of the parts and insures their coordination
Early in the process of social evolution, regulating centers are mainly required for dealing with the outside environment, but later such regulating centers assume the burden of internal regulation and social control when complexity of functions no longer allows the entirely spontaneous adjustment of parts to one another 2021/221 33
2021/2/21 33 • Early in the process of social evolution, regulating centers are mainly required for dealing with the outside environment, but later such regulating centers assume the burden of internal regulation and social control when complexity of functions no longer allows the entirely spontaneous adjustment of parts to one another
Evolution- Unilinear or multilinear In many passages, especially in his earlier writings, Spencer expresses what seems to be a belief in the unilinear evolution of mankind Yet the mature Spencer,, recognized that, though the evolution of mankind as a whole was certain particular societies may retrogress as well as progress 2021/221
2021/2/21 34 • Evolution - Unilinear or Multilinear • In many passages, especially in his earlier writings, Spencer expresses what seems to be a belief in the unilinear evolution of mankind, Yet the mature Spencer,, recognized that, though the evolution of mankind as a whole was certain, particular societies may retrogress as well as progress
while the current degradation theory is untenable, the theory of progression, in its ordinary form seems to me untenable also is possible and, I believe, probable, that retrogression has been as frequent as progression. Spencer by and large believed tha societies do not develop irreversibly through predetermined stages. Rather, it was his general view that they developed in response to their social and natural environment 2021/221 35
2021/2/21 35 • "While the current degradation theory is untenable, the theory of progression, in its ordinary form, seems to me untenable also . . . . It is possible and, I believe, probable, that retrogression has been as frequent as progression." Spencer by and large believed that societies do not develop irreversibly through predetermined stages. Rather, it was his general view that they developed in response to their social and natural environment