Herbert Spencer on customs which are the result of human action but not of deliberate design (1876)

Friedrich Hayek made famous a line from Adam Ferguson about institutions coming about because they were the result of human action but not through the deliberate design of individuals. See quote number 104. Among these Hayekian spontaneous orders are language and money. To these the English sociologist Herbert Spencer would add custom or conventions such as greeting rituals, religious ceremonies, and other human behaviours used in groups. He has a detailed schema to explain how the simple evolves gradually into more complex forms which he applies to both the evolution of societies and economies, as well as to other forms of human behaviour. The exceptions he notes to all forms of evolution are those institutions and behaviours which come about through top-down intervention or by violence. Among the latter he would include those forms of deference to military and kingly leaders which are imposed on others often by threats of violence. Shaking hands is an example of the peaceful and voluntary evolution of a custom. Bowing to a king is not.