Pertaining to Edward Bellamys Looking Backward

Edward Bellamy
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Edward Bellamy
Does Bellamy challenge Spencer? How?
Yes.
Bellamy’s idea of how the society needs to be seems to challenge Spencer’s beliefs of society. Both individuals staunchly believed in their versions of society, and while their means of delivery was different, they have come to be appreciated, and their contributions noted. Spencer’s ideal society was one in which every person was concerned for themselves and sought to empower themselves. In his assertions, he made use of the moral sense which Blackburn (1994) defines as the human attribute responsible for our emotional reaction to things as well as man’s evaluation of the morality of something. While elucidating on Spencer’s use of the moral philosophy, Bannister (1979) notes that Spencer believed that “the moral sentiment developed in man was intended to be instrumental in producing further progress, and to gag it, or to conceal the thoughts it generates is to balk creative design.” In Spencer’s world, the man was to be left to fend for himself and his natural rights were not to be violated. Things ought to be left to run or take their course and while “such conduct may, at first sight, appear unkind, but when its effects upon future generations are considered, it will be found to be the reverse” (Spencer, 1884).
In Spencer’s world, change is as a result of the changes in human nature which evolves and thus spreads or influences everything around it. However, Bellamy sees this differently, to him, changes in society are as a result of the economic equalization of all members of the society. Individuals seeking and pursuing their self-interest and profit create the need for integration and concentration of power. Bellamy was looking at the poverty that had been created by the ideals of people like Spencer and believed that such could come to an end if and when power is central, and there is public ownership.
It is no secret that Spencer advocated for the survival of the fittest ideology, and in his world, the man was to be left to fend for himself. Apparently, to him this would lead to the proliferation of poor people whom he did not consider fit. Legislation to him rested on the assumption that “men are not fit to take care of themselves” (Spencer, 1884). “Poor things! If we do not look after them, they will be going to ignorant quacks for advice, and perhaps, get poisoned!” This he believed was the way the government saw its people and the need for legislation. “Such is practically the language of the state towards its subjects, and the longer they are treated in this manner, the more helpless they will become” (Spencer, 1884). From the above, it is clear that he believed in less government intervention because for him, it poisoned and made the people weaker. His belief was grounded in the notion that humanity learns from his mistakes and failures and enacting or adopting laws which seek to prevent or oversee over certain activities derails learning or interferes with the natural flow of things. So, it was crucial that man’s capitalistic nature be left alone.
However, Bellamy challenged the high thinki...