# From Optimism to Pessimism: The Case of Herbert Spencer, Part 1

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/excursions/from-optimism-to-pessimism-the-case-of-herbert-spencer-part-1>

**By** George H. Smith

**Published:** April 8, 2015

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George H. Smith begins his series on Spencer’s pessimistic outlook on the future of freedom and the reasons behind it.

[Originally published in essay form on July 10, 2012.](https://www.libertarianism.org/essays/excursions/optimism-pessimism-case-herbert-spencer-part-1)

_Narrated by James Foster._