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The influence of social Darwinism on society
Essay on survival of the fittest
The influence of social Darwinism on society
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Darwinism is a scientific explanation originated by Charles Darwin, which uses evolution to explain diversity on earth (Lennox). In its simplest explanation, Darwinism can be understood to be survival of the fittest. The concept behind this is that the fittest of a species will survive, often due to evolutionary advantages, leading to changes within a species to effectively adapt to the species’ environment. For example, a bird with a long bill is able to reach nectar in a flower. Due to this ability, the birds with the longest bills will survive, while those with shorter bills will not survive. Since the birds with the longer bills survive, they breed with other birds with long bills, leading to the bird’s adaptation to needing a longer bill …show more content…
In its simplest explanation, Darwinism can be understood to be survival of the fittest. The concept behind this is that the fittest of a species will survive, often due to evolutionary advantages, leading to changes within a species to effectively adapt to the species’ environment. For example, a bird with a long bill is able to reach nectar in a flower. Due to this ability, the birds with the longest bills will survive, while those with shorter bills will not survive. Since the birds with the longer bills survive, they breed with other birds with long bills, leading to the bird’s adaptation to needing a longer bill in order to survive. Social Darwinism is the application of Darwin’s teachings outside of science, such as in biology, philosophy, religion, and politics, among other fields. While this connection may not seem to be applicable, the concepts of Darwinism can be found in many areas of society. As a result, social Darwinism has had a significant impact on the development of Western civilization simply because the concepts of Darwinism can be applied to society in the ways they can …show more content…
If individuals see that choosing morality is beneficial and brings happiness, they will make that choice, which then leads to that individual or group continuing on in society rather than “dying out,” as others would. In addition, individuals can see that choosing moral or ethical actions not only improves them as individuals, but can improve society. For example, when an individual makes the ethical choice to participate in social justice, the community as a whole experiences justice, making the individual feel better and helping improve the society. Therefore, not only can ethics be tied to evolution in how ethics developed within humanity, but choosing to be ethical or unethical provides an evolutionary advantage for those individuals within society. As a result, the moral and ethical decisions made by individuals, which can be explained through social Darwinism, have helped to shape society, its basic morality, and what is expected of individuals in various societies all over the world. Finally, the impact of social Darwinism can be found in politics. More specifically, it can be seen in the way politics impact countries, their relationships with other countries, and the outcomes of wars. Throughout history, tribes, peoples, and countries have invaded others, tried to take over
Social Darwinism is a late 19th century term used to describe the application of British naturalist Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection to social and political conditions. Late 19th century sociologist Herbert Spencer tried to capture the essence of social Darwinism with his phrase “survival of the fittest”. This essentially meant that the strong would rise to the top while the weak simply died out. Social Darwinists eschew social responsibility and compassion, instead believing that some people are more fit to survive than others. Many social Darwinists advocated that the government should maintain a laissez-faire, or hands off, approach when it came to regulating economic competition and alleviating social inequalities. Social Darwinism was used to justify the consolidation of the majority of wealth by a minority of Americans. The term allowed people to rationalize capitalism, imperialism, racism, and even eugenics. The wealthy believed in social Darwinism because it allowed them to justify their oppressive business tactics and low wages for their labor force. Politicians believed in it because it allowed them to justify imperialism, or expansion of the nation. Affluent Anglo-Saxons believed in social Darwinism, believing themselves to be the superior race, and used it to justify ...
The concept of Social Darwinism was a widely accepted theory in the nineteenth-century. Various intellectual, and political figures from each side of the political spectrum grasped the theory and interpreted it in various ways. In this paper, we will discuss three different nineteenth-century thinkers and their conception of Social Darwinism. The conservative, Heinrich von Treitschke, and liberal Herbert Spencer both gave arguments on the usefulness of competition between people on a global scale. The anarchist, Peter Kropotkin, refuted the belief of constant competition among members of the same species and emphasized mutual aid.
Darwin has two theories on the key principles of theory of evolution. One is the natural selection, a species that attains characteristics that are adapted to their environments (Darwin, Charles). The other one is survival of the fittest, which is when an individual best adapts to their environment survive to reproduce, and their genes are passed to later generat...
Social Darwinism, by definition, is the principle that "the survival of the fittest" applies to human ethics and politics just as it does to biological evolution. (1) The theory of Social Darwinism was introduced by Herbert Spencer. The theory was then used by White Protestants, men, and others to proliferate the idea that they were socially superior. However, the context in which this paper will discuss the theory of Social Darwinism is economic.
Its influence has even extended into realms other than biology and science. An entire method of looking at and interpreting society has come into being partly from the ideas of Darwin. This methodology is known as social darwinism. One can trace the roots of this idea all the way back to the time of Darwin and his contemporaries, and proponents of the theory remain strong even today. Social darwinism has shown its influence in many ways throughout history and is seen to be just as controversial as Darwinian evolution.
The theory of Social Darwinism stems from the idea that the human species can progress by following the principal of Charles Darwin’s natural selection, in which he states that plants and animals that can adapt to changes in their environment are able to survive and reproduce, while those that cannot adapt will die. Social Darwinists applied this biological concept to social, political and economic issues, which created the “survival of the fittest” attitude, as well as competition and inequality between social groups. This paper will discuss some of the proponents of this theory, the results of their interpretation and application of the theory, and why this theory no longer holds a prominent position in Anthropological theory.
Most people believe that Social Darwinism is a term that can only be applied to people’s race, and for most well known social Darwinism theories this is true. The basis of these theories is always revolved around the term survival of the fittest. Darwin works on what to do with animals and how animal species have adapted to challenges thrown at them by nature.... ... middle of paper ...
Charles Darwin has five parts to his theory of natural selection, firstly the “Geometric increase” which claims that “all living things reproduce in great numbers”, meaning that species may survive but not all will survive because, the resources used for survival for instance ,food will not be enough for all living things. “The struggle for existence” because there is a limited number of resources and can only sustain some and not all, not all living things will survive, however the question lies in which living being will survive?. “Variation” is the third part of natural selection which claims that within those living things there are variations within them that will determine whic...
Evolution is the heart of life. Without it, life could not be sustainable. When the environment changes and the species within the environment fails to adapt or change, then all living organisms would perish over time. Charles Darwin, a biologist and naturalist, is known worldwide for his contributions to science for the extensive research and experiments conducted to help support the theory of evolution and how it worked. One basic mechanism that can be used to understand evolution is natural selection. “Resources are limited in nature, organisms with heritable traits that favor survival and reproduction will tend to leave more offspring than their peers, causing the traits to increase in frequency over generations.” (Darwin, Evolution,
One concept that has played a significant role in American history involves Social Darwinism, as it has affected topics from helping the immigrants and the poor to mandated sterilization. While one may think Social Darwinism and Evolutionary Darwinism are the same concepts, they are quite different, though Social Darwinism does draw some of its fundamental points from Evolutionary Darwinism. For instance, Social Darwinism adopted the principle of “survival of the fittest”; however, it applied this concept not to the evolution of man, but to racial superiority and inferiority, especially regarding the mentally disabled, criminals, and disadvantaged (Dennis, 1995). It is crucial to note, though, that
Social Darwinism brings about much confusion when comparing it to the original Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the idea that one type of race is better than another type. The theory “survival of the fittest” best represents this idea. “Survival of the fittest” refers to the weaker ra...
Furthermore, the concept of Social Darwinism only grew as the exploration of the world quickly advanced. Social Darwinism is a perversion of the scientific concept of natural selection applied to real life.... ... middle of paper ... ... Marshall, P. J. & Co., Inc.
Darwin’s “Theory of Natural Selection” is described as being the process behind evolution. In the theory, an environment is essentially selecting which species will do well within it through different natural events. Individuals within a population differ, and the differences between the species are passed from parents to their offspring. Some individuals are more successful at surviving and reproducing than others, and the successful individuals succeed because of the favorable traits they have inherited. We can look at a giraffe for an example of Darwin’s theory, because a giraffe born with a longer neck has an inherent ability to reach for more food when compared to a giraffe with a shorter neck. This causes the giraffes with longer necks
Darwinian evolution is the theory of biological evolution stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual’s ability to compete, survive and reproduce. This theory was settled by Charles Darwin, a naturalist and geologist best known for this evolutionary theory. Darwinian evolution has been around since the 19th century (Darwin C. 1859 Descendant of Man), and has continued to now 2015. Some changes that are provided from Darwin until now includes the discovery of how genes have different biological or behavioral traits, and how genes are passed down to the offspring. Another idea that has changed is the natural selection, for example genes can be transferred from one population to another due to migration.
Darwin challenged the traditional ways of thinking by presenting his theory of biological evolution. Prior to the discoveries of Darwin, it was believed that every creature on earth was divinely and created specifically by God. Darwin’s theory presented that all life started from a single species. Part of this species would then randomly develop characteristics that were not found in some of the other members, and the adaptations would enable the species to survive or hinder it from surviving. Over time these changes would result in many completely different species that struggled for survival. The only creature that would survive would be the one that is most adapted via the random evolutionary changes. Changing the ways of thinking about religion, Darwin refuted the traditional thinking of religion as he provided scientific evidence stating how what many had thought to be true to actually be false. Darwin had also led to a shift in the thinking of human behavior. Darwin’s theory was later applied to the human race, as many saw competition between both countries and companies. Known as Social Darwinism, it stated that only the “fittest” would be able to survive while the others would not. Leading to an imperialist point of view, it portrayed countries that were not a European power weaker, because they were not the fittes...