Final answer:
Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher who coined the term 'survival of the fittest' and influenced the development of social Darwinism. His work emphasized the role of individual attributes and adaptability in social success and contributed to early sociology, although his views were later associated with discredited eugenicist ideologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) was a significant figure in the field of social philosophy. In his book The Study of Sociology, published in 1873, Spencer became the first to use the term "sociology" in a book title. Rejecting the philosophies of Comte and Marx, Spencer favored a government that allowed market forces to control capitalism. He influenced early sociologists such as Émile Durkheim, who applied Spencer's theories to societal changes and survival. Spencer is perhaps best known for coining the term "survival of the fittest", which he expounded upon in his work The Principles of Biology. However, this concept was quite controversial as it was widely interpreted as support for social hierarchy based on race and class, leading to the pseudoscientific belief known as social Darwinism. Spencer's ideology was that personal attributes, which could include inherited wealth and intelligence, combined with the ability to adapt, would determine an individual's success or failure in society, without needing to interfere with financial assistance. However, this viewpoint was later criticized and fell into disrepute as it was associated with eugenicist ideologies.