Robert Bannister Neo Darwinism

Ronald Reagan made many economic decisions that supported his beliefs in Social Darwinism throughout his presidency. Social Darwinism is considered to be the ideas of struggle for existence and “survival of the fittest,” a term coined by Herbert Spencer in order to justify social policies. Over time the individuals with superior biological characteristics will dominate populations that this super species possessed. Couples who possessed these special qualities would then pass them down to their offspring, creating an elite generation in the modern world. Dominic Sandbrook the author of Mad as Hell, The Crisis of the 1970s and the Rise of

Marilynne Robinson is a Pulitzer-winning novelist who has graced us with her essays found in The Death of Adam. Robinson gives the read the feeling of being much more educated than he or she really is. These essays provide readers with different ways of discussing history, religion and society. They, although difficult to comprehend at times, are flawlessly argued and, throughout, are grounded in universal human experience. When reading them, it is hard not to be persuaded, especially if reading them with an open mind.

Throughout the post-war era from the late 1800s to the early and mid 1900s, the corporate elite abused the power of wealth and success by exploiting the working class in order to grossly marginalize social positions and expectations. As this period quickly became known as the Gilded Age, a time of social transformation and instability, corporate officials and industry owners utilized the concept of Darwinism to justify their actions and disperse the intensity of the situation. By presenting their actions as simply a necessary evil in order to survive, these cooperations disregarded the needs and wellbeing of their employees: “During the Gilded Age, thousands of wage workers struggled to organize in an effort to force employers to recognize

William Graham Sumner mentions in his book What Social Classes Owe to Each Other (1883) a way to compare the with evolution. Sumner did not see economic inequality in society as a problem. Rather he saw it as the solution itself. Sumner uses the term Darwinism as a contrast to economic inequality in the Guided Age. Social Darwinism, like Darwinism argues in favor of natural selection according to the class that a person is on. Stating that the wealthy were this way as a result of them being the best at what they did and arguably they knew how to “play the game”. Therefore, the people who were in the working class or not exceedingly rich were not satisfactory enough to be so. Inequality on society, according to Sumner’s Social Darwinism is needed for not only society to prosper but also humanity. This way only the wealthiest smartest people survive and the poor do not. This

Herbert Spencer was one of the lead role models and inspirations in the creation of Darwinism. Born April 27th 1820, Spencer spent his childhood living in Derby, Great Britain. His infantile life was depressing, growing up with his uncles who tortured him behind the curtains for 7 years straight. Despite this, the leader philosopher went on to develop ideas and challenged the ideology behind imperialism. Being the creator of the phrase, “survival of the fittest” Herbert weaved his way into Darwin’s work being credited for everything. This increased his fame and popularity receiving many followers of his theories. Spencer criticized man theories and tactics used by the government putting holt to imperialism.

These people wanted an economic market that was free from outside regulation. They contended that the system itself, like nature, had inherent systems of checks and balances. Because the stronger and more cunning fox survives, he passes on his positive traits and furthers the entire species genetically. Similarly, the stronger and more successful businessman weeds out his unskilled competitors. This allows the entire system to progress and provides positive examples for future generations to follow. This justification through “scientific law” promoted acceptance because science was held in high regard at the time. When lectures, publications, and even private conversations tackled the controversial issue of business regulation, people cited the principles of Social Darwinism time and time again. By providing firm scientific principles that could be used as evidence on popular issues, Social Darwinism consumed discussions and spread wildly.

In Heilbroner’s book, “The Worldly Philosophers,” chapter 7 focuses on the Victorian world and the underworld of economics. It is during this age that the working class gained increased wages and the working days grew shorter—against what Marx predicted. The chapter then goes on to talk about Francis Edgeworth who worked with mathematical physics. His thesis was that every man, based on mathematical formulas, lives for leisure time, material goods, and pleasure. He theories are unique on his use of mathematical formulas to defend his philosophies and contentions. Though his use of science and economics was useful, much of his work is deemed useless. Frederic Bastiat, contrary to Edgeworth, wrote Economic Sophisms, which attacked socialists and defended free trade. Henry George, wrote Progress and Poverty, which discusses the true cause of poverty, which is land rent. He goes on to declare that this ultimately is the cause of depression.

Polanyi's critique goes to the core of neoclassical economics and its claims about equilibrium prices and self-regulation. The imperative for non-market

In 1859, Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, earning the formerly known theory of evolution a new prospective definition –but not without controversy. In response to Darwin’s scientific literature, several authors also focused their work around the ideas of natural selection. These authors focused on the possible outcomes evolution could produce within the human race, and society overall. As the nature of evolution is depicted in the majority of these texts, there is a reoccurring theme to always view nature selection in terms of progression and a better chance of survival. However, The Time Machine stands apart from these texts as author, H.G. Wells, explains evolution

Herbert Spencer became popular and recognized for Darwinism which Herbert believed that everything in the universe is evolutionary which included human character and social institutions that went along with the principles of survival of the fittest. A phase which was turned in social Darwinism which applied the theory of evolution to human nature and society which America embraced. Spencer’s idea was to ensure that only the best would survive so that society would be able to achieve to be perfect and small business would not be supported.

Herbert Spencer was a very important figure in sociological theory, especially in the field of social evolution. Through his work Spencer demonstrated knowledge through scientific reasoning while “displacing the pre-Enlightenment view of society ordered by divine hand” (Dillon 2014:79). Due to his liberal views, Spencer thought that the state should not interfere in individual affairs, he thought that social life should be free to evolve (Delany 2004:48).

The theory of Darwinism has faced many attacks, including one which pitted it against socialism. In Socialism and Modern Science, Ferri argues that socialism and Darwinism are not in opposition, but are actually in harmony with each other. The main point of Darwinism is “the survival of the fittest, the victory of the best” (16), which at first seems to be the opposite of what socialism calls for. Some proponents of Darwinism, such as Ernest Haeckel, argue against socialism because they feel that it contradicts and harms Darwinism. There are three arguments Ferri addresses in this book, in which he gives his reasoning for why socialism is best.

In the 1870s, the English sociologist Herbert Spencer applied Charles Darwin's theories of biological evolution to human behavior and institutions. Spencer used the idea of survival of the fittest in biology and theorized human society had evolved the same way (Cooper 15). Social Darwinism, as Spencer's theory is called, pits everyone against each other to survive in the world where humans are soldiers in a war for survival. If a person is poor, it is their fault and no one should help that person rise above the poverty status. If a person is rich, they are worthy of the position based on their actions, even if morally wrong. So if one is poor, the person will be weeded out of society while the rich survive.

Social philosophy in the latter part of the 19th century in the United States was dominated by Spencer. His ideas of laissez-faire and the survival of the fittest by natural selection fitted very well into an age of rapid expansion and ruthless business competition. Spencer provided businessmen with the reassuring notion that what they were doing was not just ruthless self-interest but was a natural law operating in nature and human society. Not only was competition in harmony with nature, but it was also in the interest of the general welfare and progress. Social Darwinism, or

Based on this notion about natural propensity, Smith is able to examine why the unexamined life is not worth living due to the advocates of division of labor. He is able to use these advocates as one of his prime examples to explain how they sought to maximize their profits or wages by employing themselves and their capital. Smith states