Herbert Spencer: science and evolution in History of Education manuals in circulating in Brazil (1914-1999)

Abstract

This is a report on the results of a research project that examined Herbert Spencer's ideas disseminated in History of Education textbooks in circulation in Brazil between 1914 and 1999. This included, on the one hand, examining the textbooks with foreign authors that were translated into Portuguese between 1939 and 1999 and, on the other hand, the textbooks with Brazilian authors published between 1914 and 1989. We drew mainly on the ideas of Chartier (1990 and 1999), Chervel (1990), Choppin (2004) and Xxxxx (XXXX). In methodological terms, there was intense bibliographical research, initially by reading and analyzing the works of commentators on Spencer's philosophical, social and educational ideas, and then by reading and analyzing the works written by the author himself. After this initial effort, we examined the content related to Spencer's ideas in History of Education textbooks published in Portuguese, by comparing Spencerian concepts and categories with the representations about them contained in these History of Education textbooks, with an emphasis on two main themes., evolutionism and the hierarchization of knowledge. We conclude by presenting the list of predominant themes in relation to Spencer in the History of Education textbooks examined.