The Pros And Cons Of Social Darwinism

Social Darwinism is a term to describe the idea that humans compete for existence just like the rest of the animal kingdom. Darwin used this term to attempt to rationalize racism, capitalism, and imperialism. It simplifies the human’s desire for power. Now it is widely discredited and scrutinized because its a “ rejection of compassion and social responsibility.” (1)

It held that only fierce competition could produce progress. Applying the principle of "survival of the fittest" to society, they argued that intervening to assist the poor violated laws of nature and would only impede progress." also, Social Darwinism appealed to Americans as it allowed them to do and treat others in a way that was not

Social Darwinism was a slight distortion of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, which stated that species change over time because those with heritable traits that help survival are the one’s that reproduce. “Social Darwinists,” like Sumner, applied Darwin’s theory onto the human race, and then used it to justify his views in his article. He claimed that those in society who are powerful are innately better than those who are not, and their superiority is proof of this (Class notes

In 1859, Charles Darwin published his most famous work, On the Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (Encarta 96). This book explained Darwin's theory of natural selection, a process not unlike separating the wheat from the chaff, where the least fit are eliminated, and only the fittest survive. An extension of this theory known as Social Darwinism emerged in the late 19th century. "Social Darwinists believed that people, like animals and plants, compete for survival and, by extension, success in life" (Encarta 96). Under this theory, the individuals who acquire the power and wealth are deemed the fittest, while those of lower economic and social levels are considered the least fit (Griffin

Social Darwinism is the theory that individuals, groups, and people are subject to the same laws of natural selection. Social Darwinism shows us a lot of the rationale behind strong European countries conquering weak ones. Documents A and F show us how Social Darwinism was used to justify political conservatism, imperialism, and racism to discourage intervention and reform. Document A shows Social Darwinism because it shows the unfair colonization of Africa by the Europeans. When the Europeans were colonizing Africa they didn't involve them at all they did whatever they wanted to. Document F talks about “The White Man’s Burden” this shows Social Darwinism because it explains how they believed the white race was the “superior

The theory of social Darwinism was used to justify European imperialism. “It is an application of the theory of natural selection that says ‘only the strong survive’, to human issues that are social, political, and economic.”

Social Darwinism was a concept that emerged later in the nineteenth century suggesting that what applied to nature could also apply to human society – that the strong prevail over the weak, that superior races prevail over inferior races. This concept with its theme of struggle and survival of the fittest appealed to Hitler. “Struggle” wrote Hitler “is the father of all things…He who wants to live must fight and who does not want to fight in this world where external struggle is the law of life has no right to exist”*.

Social Darwinism is based off of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. He uses the concept of survival of the fittest. This was used to justify class distinctions and to explain the reason for poverty. Modern science declared that the failure to advance in society was due to the lack of self reliance and determination. They acted down on people who needed government aid. Even during the depression people still believed the notion that the poor were responsible for their fate. The idea of natural superiority was around since the Civil War. So much so, we thought it was okay to own human beings.

Thus the concept of Social Darwinism was born. Taken from the Darwinistic view of humanity, the belief was all humans are subject to the same laws of natural selection. As a result, the "strong will survive."

Social Darwinism is a popular social evolution theory in 19 century propounded by Herbert Spencer. It refers to notions of struggle for existence being used to justify social policies, which show no sympathy for those unable to support them. Rationalized by the notion that colonized nations, poor people, or disadvantaged minorities must have deserved their situations because they were “less fit” than those who were better off.

Social Darwinism is a quasi-philosophical, quasi-religious, quasi-sociological view that came from the mind of Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher in the 19th century. It did not achieve wide acceptance in England or Europe, but flourished in this country, as is true of many ideologies, religions, and philosophies. A good summary of Social Darwinism is by Johnson:

The battle between good and evil is the greatest battle of human nature. Are humans fighting to become good, or are humans fighting against evil? To be born good means that evil is not rooted in any human, but rather evil is influenced upon one. To be born good implies that criminals, rapists, and murderers are not born with the intent of destruction and evil doings, but society has triggered them to become that way. Is innocence in a human lost, or is it never there? In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Shelley uses the example of the Creature to argue that all humans are born good and innocent, but because of the pain, suffering, and societal influences one may endure in a lifetime, this good can be destroyed and overcome by evil

When looking at community policing today we see many programs that the citizens are involved in that are helping the residents to “become more involved with their police department and local government” (Dempsey & Forst, 2016 p. 373). Some examples of the programs are the Neighbourhood Watch, CERT, DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training, PAL (Police Athletic League) and Youth programs. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Teams. “The CERT concept was initially developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985” (Greenberg, 2003).

Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection, a scientific theory that supported the belief of evolution, was manipulated and applied to different areas of life, and thus it became the shaping force in European thought in the last half of the nineteenth century. Darwin, through observation of organisms, determined that a system of natural selection controlled the evolution of species. He found that the organisms that were most fit and assimilated to the environment would survive. They would also reproduce so that over time they would eventually dominate in numbers over the organisms with weaker characteristics. This new theory was radical and interesting to the scientific world but its effects reach far beyond this small institution of

Darwin and Evolution are inextricably linked in the minds of most people who have had the opportunity to study them in basic biology. However, Darwin's theories of selection and survival of the fittest have been applied to moral, economic, political, and other cultural aspects of society. Dennett briefly touched on some of the political and social ramifications of Darwin's theories in the final chapter of Darwin's Dangerous Idea. Other philosophers and thinkers have also adapted Darwin's evolutionary ideas, in order to apply them in a societal or cultural context. One great example of this adaptation of the biological concept of evolution, is the appearance of Social Darwinism during the 19th century.