What is Herbert Spencer organic analogy?

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) developed the body analogy (also known as the organic analogy) to describe how society works. So, like an organism needs nutrition, in society, people must be socialised correctly for society to function (hence where the term ‘functionalism’ originates).

How does organic analogy explain society?

Emile Durkheim argued that society was like a human body (the organic analogy). Society was made up of various institutions that acted like the organs of the body: they all needed to be functioning properly for the body to function.

What is the meaning of organic analogy?

organic analogy (or biological analogy) Used by Émile Durkheim specifically to bring out the distinction between mechanical and organic solidarity, where in the latter ‘the unity of the (social) organism is as great as the individuation of the parts is more marked’.

Why was Spencer’s theory of organic analogy important?

He, however, presented the organic analogy, as a secondary doctrine which also played a vital role in his thought system. “He established the hypothesis that society, is like a biological organism and then proceeded to defend it against all objections with great logical force.”

How did Spencer come up with the organismic theory?

Spencer developed the organismic theory by making an elaborate comparison between the society and the organism. He thinks that society is like a biological system a greater organism, a like in its structure and functions.

How did Herbert Spencer contribute to the sociology of society?

“He established the hypothesis that society, is like a biological organism and then proceeded to defend it against all objections with great logical force.” But his logic proved to be his sociological downfall, for it spoiled his scientific insight. Herbert Spencer came to sociology via biology.

What are the contradictions in Herbert Spencer’s conclusion?

(1) In the words of E.S. Bogardus, Spencer’s conclusion contains contradictory elements. (2) If a society is an organism, it undergoes a cycle of birth, maturity, and death. But according to the principle of progress, the death of a society is not inevitable, but depend on the vision, plans, courage, and activities of that society’s members.