Friday, December 11th., Rue de Calais, Paris.
Yesterday I worked from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., chiefly on "A Great Man". I was exhausted, but also satisfied. I have been rather gloomy of late, seeing little prospect of improving my situation, but if this novel continues in the present vein it may just be the breakthrough I need to put my name before a wider public.
There was a long article in Le Temps on Herbert Spencer, which confirmed the view which Wells expressed to me about him in the early part of last year; namely that, as a thinker, he was 'woolly'. I must admit that I was ready to be convinced by Spencer's ideas about social evolution when I first came upon them. But I am now more sceptical. My first thought these days when presented with some idea is: "What is the evidence for it?" It seems to me now that Spencer made a leap from Darwin's theory, which is supported by evidence, and has feet of clay. I have also noticed that other lesser thinkers are latching on to Spencer's ideas to support their own theories about racial superiority. This is distasteful, and may become inflammatory.
I meant to go and see Brieux's "Robe Rouge" at the Theatre du Peuple, but as I was busy, and as they had allotted 500 seats to 'midinettes' last night, I refrained. Three plays by Brieux are being done in Paris this week: the new "Maternite" at Antoine's; "Le Berceau" at the Comedie Mondaine, and the "Robe Rouge". I am green with envy. It seems that once a playwright becomes fashionable then he can do no wrong, and his name alone is sufficient to guarantee success (at least for a while). That is what I am aiming for.
Showing posts with label Herbert Spencer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herbert Spencer. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Bearing up in Burslem
Friday, December 17th., Waterloo Road, Burslem.
After failing to stick to any novels, I have read "The Study of Sociology" all week.
Tea at Florence's with about twelve.
S.B. came here after supper, and I slanged him for his attitude towards honest musical criticism, and for other things. Then Edward came. Then Florence. Then R., fairly full of etchings and whisky.
Marguerite better. I have kept up very well so far, but I could not stand much more of this life. I walked up through the park to Burslem Cemetery and came back down Moorland Road. I like the change of atmosphere which is apparent immediately on entering the cemetery. It is peaceful, tranquil, almost inviting! Perhaps I will go into the ground here one day. I could do worse.
Additionally for December 17th., see 'Indian ideas' -
http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/indian-ideas.html
He talked about the mistake of regarding India as one nation, and about the difficulties caused by religion and caste. He agreed that the partition of Bengal was a mistake. He did not say what he thought of Macdonnell's speech advising the reintegration of Bengal. 'Pretty good man, Macdonnell, isn't he?' I said. He hesitated a long time and then reluctantly said 'Yes'. He said Macdonnell was very good in India, but was not liked. He surprised me by saying that Lord Curzon had a tendency in any dispute between an Englishman and a native to take the side of the native. He - it seemed to me - condemned this as one of Lord C's gravest mistakes.
After failing to stick to any novels, I have read "The Study of Sociology" all week.
"The Study of Sociology" was Spencer's popular account of his leading sociological doctrines. Published in 1873 it marked the emergence of Spencer as the popular philosopher of the Victorian age. It was a highly influential work in terms of the impetus it gave to the academic pursuit of the new science of sociology and it also played an important role in shaping the outlook of many thoughtful lay persons in the Victorian reading public.
Tea at Florence's with about twelve.
S.B. came here after supper, and I slanged him for his attitude towards honest musical criticism, and for other things. Then Edward came. Then Florence. Then R., fairly full of etchings and whisky.
Burslem Cemetery opened in 1879 and covers approximately 11.4 hectares. It contains several large monuments which are historically important to local families.
Additionally for December 17th., see 'Indian ideas' -
http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/indian-ideas.html
He talked about the mistake of regarding India as one nation, and about the difficulties caused by religion and caste. He agreed that the partition of Bengal was a mistake. He did not say what he thought of Macdonnell's speech advising the reintegration of Bengal. 'Pretty good man, Macdonnell, isn't he?' I said. He hesitated a long time and then reluctantly said 'Yes'. He said Macdonnell was very good in India, but was not liked. He surprised me by saying that Lord Curzon had a tendency in any dispute between an Englishman and a native to take the side of the native. He - it seemed to me - condemned this as one of Lord C's gravest mistakes.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
First principles
Sunday, September 18th., Villa des Nefliers.
I finished the draft of half my play this morning at 7.15 a.m. I worked off and on during most of the rest of the day in arranging the third act, but did not succeed very well.
I had a bad cold.
Every morning now for about a fortnight I have walked for two hours in the forest.
Still immersed in Spencer's "Autobiography". His description of the other boarders at the boarding house where he stayed for so many years is agreeably ironic.
He says, speaking of Thackeray's insignificance at dinner: "I have heard that he could be a lively companion; but it seems possible that usually when in company he was occupied in observing traits of character and manner. A painter of human nature as variously manifested must ordinarily be more a listener than a talker." Yes, perhaps. But unconsciously occupied. The painter of human nature is not consciously engaged in the act of observation.
The chapter of the "Autobiography" dealing with the finishing and publication of "First principles" is unimposing, and disappointingly deficient in emotion. Compare Gibbon in the finishing of his big work. Nothing of real interest is recorded about the undertaking. This is a pity. But everywhere Spencer's narrative skill is very clumsy, and his little attempts to be dramatic are extraordinarily feeble. i an struck in reading by the stolid indifference with which his biggest books were received. It was appalling; it desolates. yet this kind of reception is quite common. I am also struck throughout by a whole series of odd remarks - almost asides - which give you the disconcerting feeling that nearly all common evaluations are relatively quite wrong. That is, that nearly everything - gifts, acquirements, possessions, achievements - is either under-valued or over-valued.
When I think how "First Principles" by filling me up with the sense of causation everywhere, has altered my whole view of life, and undoubtedly immensely improved it, I am confirmed in my opinion of that book. You can see "First Principles" in nearly every line I write.
See also, September 7th., 'Admiring the Mummer's Wife' - http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/admiring-mummers-wife.html
Additionally for September 18th., see 'Leading the high life' - http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/leading-high-life.html
I was undecided whether to go to bed or to wait up for Noel Coward, who was due to arrive (fast car) at 12.15. Time passed. I didn't go to bed. Coward arrived just after 12.30 quite fresh. At 12.50 I said: "Well, having glimpsed him, I'm going to bed." But we all went to bed at the same time. 2 a.m. This is twice this week that late bed has happened to me. I was vexed with myself. But I argued: Why not break out sometimes and suffer a little! As a fact, I had quite a good night.
I finished the draft of half my play this morning at 7.15 a.m. I worked off and on during most of the rest of the day in arranging the third act, but did not succeed very well.
I had a bad cold.
Every morning now for about a fortnight I have walked for two hours in the forest.
Still immersed in Spencer's "Autobiography". His description of the other boarders at the boarding house where he stayed for so many years is agreeably ironic.
He says, speaking of Thackeray's insignificance at dinner: "I have heard that he could be a lively companion; but it seems possible that usually when in company he was occupied in observing traits of character and manner. A painter of human nature as variously manifested must ordinarily be more a listener than a talker." Yes, perhaps. But unconsciously occupied. The painter of human nature is not consciously engaged in the act of observation.
The chapter of the "Autobiography" dealing with the finishing and publication of "First principles" is unimposing, and disappointingly deficient in emotion. Compare Gibbon in the finishing of his big work. Nothing of real interest is recorded about the undertaking. This is a pity. But everywhere Spencer's narrative skill is very clumsy, and his little attempts to be dramatic are extraordinarily feeble. i an struck in reading by the stolid indifference with which his biggest books were received. It was appalling; it desolates. yet this kind of reception is quite common. I am also struck throughout by a whole series of odd remarks - almost asides - which give you the disconcerting feeling that nearly all common evaluations are relatively quite wrong. That is, that nearly everything - gifts, acquirements, possessions, achievements - is either under-valued or over-valued.
When I think how "First Principles" by filling me up with the sense of causation everywhere, has altered my whole view of life, and undoubtedly immensely improved it, I am confirmed in my opinion of that book. You can see "First Principles" in nearly every line I write.
 |
| Spencer by John McClure Hamilton |
In the first volume of A System of Synthetic Philosophy, entitled First Principles (1862), Spencer argued that all phenomena could be explained in terms of a lengthy process of evolution in things. This ‘principle of continuity’ was that homogeneous organisms are unstable, that organisms develop from simple to more complex and heterogeneous forms, and that such evolution constituted a norm of progress. This account of evolution provided a complete and ‘predetermined’ structure for the kind of variation noted by Darwin–and Darwin’s respect for Spencer was significant. But while Spencer held that progress was a necessity, it was ‘necessary’ only overall, and there is no teleological element in his account of this process. In fact, it was Spencer, and not Darwin, who coined the phrase “survival of the fittest,” though Darwin came to employ the expression in later editions of the Origin of Species. Spencer’s understanding of evolution included the Lamarckian theory of the inheritance of acquired characteristics and emphasized the direct influence of external agencies on the organism’s development. He denied (as Darwin had argued) that evolution was based on the characteristics and development of the organism itself and on a simple principle of natural selection. Paradoxically, perhaps, Spencer held an ‘organic’ view of society. Starting with the characteristics of individual entities, one could deduce, using laws of nature, what would promote or provide life and human happiness. He believed that social life was an extension of the life of a natural body, and that social ‘organisms’ reflected the same (Lamarckian) evolutionary principles or laws as biological entities did. The existence of such ‘laws,’ then, provides a basis for moral science and for determining how individuals ought to act and what would constitute human happiness.
See also, September 7th., 'Admiring the Mummer's Wife' - http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/admiring-mummers-wife.html
Additionally for September 18th., see 'Leading the high life' - http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/leading-high-life.html
I was undecided whether to go to bed or to wait up for Noel Coward, who was due to arrive (fast car) at 12.15. Time passed. I didn't go to bed. Coward arrived just after 12.30 quite fresh. At 12.50 I said: "Well, having glimpsed him, I'm going to bed." But we all went to bed at the same time. 2 a.m. This is twice this week that late bed has happened to me. I was vexed with myself. But I argued: Why not break out sometimes and suffer a little! As a fact, I had quite a good night.
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