Organism theory conceives society as a biological
system in its structure and its functions. This theory is ancient like as
social contract theory. The organism theory considers society as a unity
preferred as biological organism. The formation of society is compared the
formation of several parts of animal bodies. Here all parts are functionally
related. Likewise the animals united body parts was compared with the unity of
social group. Ancient and medieval writers had drawn similarities between
society and organism. They told that society resembled an organism.
Views of Herbart Spencer:
The English social philosopher Herbart Spencer has
been the chief exponent of this theory. He said that society is an organism and
it doesn’t differ in essential principle from the other biological organisms.
“As the lowest type of animal is all stomach,
respiratory surface, limb. So primitive society is all warriors, hunters,
builders, tool-maker. In each case there is mutual dependence of parts like
hand depends on the arm, likewise the parts social organism depend on each
other. Spencer said society has three systems corresponding to the (1)
sustaining system (2) distributive system (3) regulating system in an
organism.
1.The sustaining system: Sustaining system in an organism consists of mouth, throat, stomach and
bowels. It means when the food is digested the whole organic machine is
sustained. Society has its own sustain system. It has productive system
comprising manufacturing districts and agricultural areas.
2.The distribution system: Distribution system in an organism consist of the blood vessels, heart,
arteries and veins and they carry blood to all part of the body. It means
communication among wholesalers, retailer, bankers in the society. What the
arteries and veins mean to the human body, it means roads, railways, post and
telegraph service, institutions and associations to the society.
3.The regulating system: Regulating system is the nerve-motor mechanism, which regulates the
whole body. Government in society regulates and controls activities of the
individuals. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, priest perform the functions of the
brain and the nervous system.
So, from the view of Herbart Spencer we can say that:
1)Society as
well as individual organism grows in size
2)They grow in a simple structure but they turned to
complex structure
3)Extended differentiation, extends mutual dependence
4)The life of the whole becomes independent and lasts
longer.
