Editing Great man theory (section)

=== Herbert Spencer's critique ===
One of the most forceful critics of Carlyle's formulation of the great man theory was [[Herbert Spencer]], who believed that attributing historical events to the decisions of individuals was an unscientific position.<ref name=HeroMyths>Segal, Robert A. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=JbE5UxcCr10C&dq=%22herbert+spencer%22+%22genesis+of+the+great+man%22&pg=PA3 Hero Myths]'', Wiley-Blackwell, 2000, p. 3.</ref>  He believed that the men Carlyle supposed "great men" are merely products of their social environment:

{{Blockquote|You must admit that the genesis of a great man depends on the long series of complex influences which has produced the race in which he appears, and the social state into which that race has slowly grown.&nbsp;... Before he can remake his society, his society must make him.|Herbert Spencer, ''The Study of Sociology''<ref name="Spencer">Spencer, Herbert. ''[https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=96277756 The Study of Sociology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515130355/http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=96277756 |date=15 May 2012 }}'', Appleton, 1896, p. 31.</ref>}}