The bare essence of Herbert Spencer's ten volume Synthetic philosophy without the illustrative material, mostly in his own words. "Before starting on a journey through an unknown region, study of a map is desirable; and a clear preliminary conception is more readily obtained from a small outline-map than from a large one full of details. In like manner, before commencing a series of volumes which, though all pervaded by certain organizing ideas, deal with various subjects, an introductory view presenting these organizing ideas in smaller space and freed from elaboration, can scarcely fail to facilitate comprehension. The epitome which Mr. Collins has prepared in the course of five years fulfils this purpose."--from the Preface by Herbert Spencer.