John Fiske

John Fiske (1842–1901), born Edmund Fisk Green, was an American philosopher and historian.

Related Topics:
1842 - 1901 - American - Philosopher - Historian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His philosophy was influenced by Herbert Spencer, particularly Spencer's views on evolution. Fiske believed in the racial superiority of the "Anglo-Saxon race" as a product of natural selection, pointing to the fact that the English and the Americans had already covered a third of the globe and had spearheaded progress in the form of democracy and capitalism. Fiske was instrumental in the application of Social Darwinism to racism.

Related Topics:
Herbert Spencer - Evolution - Anglo-Saxon - Democracy - Capitalism - Social Darwinism - Racism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Before he became a writer, he practiced law. In books such as Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy (ISBN 0384157807), Fiske aimed to reconcile science and orthodox religious beliefs. Fiske was a popular lecturer on these topics in his early career and later turned to historical writings instead, publishing books such as The Discovery of America (1892, ISBN 1932080422).

Related Topics:
Law - 1892

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~