1 Herbert Spencer’s ‘Energetic Sociology ’ of Social Evolution

Herbert Spencer is usually thought to use a biological metaphor for understanding social-evolutionary processes. Spencer’s evolutionary theory is an ‘energetic ’ theory, premised on a particular understanding of physical principles; he applied these ‘energetic’ principles equally to inorganic, organic and supra-organic (social) evolution. The centrality of energy makes Spencer’s theory of social evolution directly relevant in a global society faced with looming energy shortages and the threat of global warming. The omission of non-human energy forms is addressed in the context of its implications for his theory of evolution as a whole, and a corrective proposed