Final answer:
The sentence is likely referring to Herbert Spencer, a Victorian Englishman interested in understanding society rather than correcting it, contrasting with Harriet Martineau's approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question seems to be an inquiry into the perspectives of various intellectuals on society during the Victorian era. A correct completion of the sentence provided could be Herbert Spencer, a wealthy Englishman who, unlike Harriet Martineau, did not feel the need to correct or improve society but sought to understand it better. Spencer was known for his libertarian views and belief in the free market, opposing the ideas of thinkers like Marx and Comte who advocated for the transformation of society based on certain philosophical or socialist principles.