Abstract

In First Principles , Spencer attempted to construct a metaphysical system which synthesized all available knowledge into a single world-view. One major aspect of his task was to integrate Religion and Science. However, there is no single metaphysical system or structure unifying Spencer's thought, and my aim in this article is to identify the various different models of reality which he confuses. Spencer inherited these different, over-arching conceptions from his own European philosophical tradition, and with them came certain inherent metaphysical problems which he wished to solve.