Spencer's god was Evolution, sometimes also called Progress.

Of course there may well be particular reasons why Spencer rather than others is dead, as there were also particular reasons why he rather than others made such a stir.

Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer is needed.

A theoretical system does not merely state facts which have been observed and that logically deducible relations to other facts which have also been observed.

In so far as such a theory is empirically correct it will also tell us what empirical facts it should be possible to observe in a given set of circumstances.

Science is intimately integrated with the whole social structure and cultural tradition. They mutually support one other -- only in certain types of society can science flourish, and conversely without a continuous and healthy development and application of science such a society cannot function properly.