SPENCER AND EVOLUTION. 39 



to all things, whether evolving or not, is a deeper principle, and is, in 

 fact, the primary process in Evolution, while the increase of hetero- 

 geneity is the secondary process. At the same time, this new view 

 of the matter made it obvious that Dissolution is everywhere the cor- 

 relative of Evolution, and that, before the generalization is complete, 

 Dissolution must be recognized as universally tending to undo w T hat 

 Evolution does. 



In a new edition of " First Principles," this idea was embodied, 

 and the work recast in conformity with it. The doctrine of Evolu- 

 tion thus attained a higher development. The fundamental antago- 

 nism between Evolution and Dissolution comes into the foreground as 

 the cardinal conception* It is shown that every aggregate, simple or 

 compound, is, from the beginning to the end of its existence, subject 

 to these opposing processes of change ; that, according as its quantity 

 of contained motion is becoming greater or less, it is tending to inte- 

 grate or disintegrate evolve or dissolve ; that from moment to mo- 

 ment throughout its whole existence it is simultaneously exposed to 

 both these processes, and that the average transformation it is under- 

 going expresses the predominance of the one process over the other. 

 This being the universal law to which all material things at all times 

 are subject, there come to be recognized certain derivative laws that 

 are not universal, although highly general. Evolution is distinguished 

 into simple and compound : simple Evolution being that in which the 

 character of the matter and the rate of its integration are such that 

 this primary process of change from a diffused state to a concentrated 

 state is uncomplicated by secondary changes compound Evolution 

 being that in w T hich, along with the general integrations, there go on 

 more or less marked differentiations and local integrations. Thus 

 the changes which were originally conceived to constitute Evolution 

 itself came to be recognized as in order of time and importance sub- 

 ordinate ; integration may go on without differentiation, as in crystals ; 

 but differentiation is made possible only by antecedent integration. 



The doctrine of Evolution as a theory of the genesis and dissolution 

 of things in the onward course of Nature was elaborately presented in 

 "First Principles," and might have been there left to take its place 

 and its chance among philosophical theories. But it had not been ex- 

 ploited by Mr. Spencer in the way of mental gymnastics, as a piece 

 of novel and ingenious speculation. He believed it to embody a living 

 and applicable principle of the greatest moment. If the law of Evolu- 

 tion be true, it is a truth of transcendent import, no less in the sphere 

 of practical life than in the world of thought, and it was important 

 that it should be carried out in the various fields of its application. 

 Moreover, Mr. Spencer had been drawn to the investigation by his 

 interest in the study of human affairs, and his task was but fairly be- 

 gun with the establishment of the principle by which they are to be 

 interpreted. In the strict logical order the next step would have been 



