"Society exists for the benefit of its members, not the members for the benefit of society"

This quote by Herbert Spencer recommends that society needs to be structured in such a way that advantages its members, rather than the members of society being expected to sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of society. Spencer's quote indicates that society needs to be organized in a manner that allows its members to pursue their own interests and goals, while likewise contributing to the cumulative great. This idea is in line with the idea of social contract theory, which specifies that individuals accept give up a few of their flexibilities in exchange for the security and benefits of living in a society. Spencer's quote recommends that society must be structured in such a way that enables its members to pursue their own interests and goals, while also adding to the cumulative great. This idea remains in line with the principle of mutual advantage, which specifies that people need to have the ability to benefit from their participation in society, while likewise adding to the cumulative great. Ultimately, Spencer's quote recommends that society ought to be structured in such a way that enables its members to pursue their own interests and objectives, while likewise adding to the collective great.