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Social Darwinism is a theory that competition between all individuals, groups, nations or ideas drives social evolution in human societies. The term is an extension of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, where competition between individual organisms drives biological evolutionary change (speciation) through the survival of the fittest.

The term was popularized in 1944 by the American historian Richard Hofstadter, and has generally been used by critics rather than advocates of what the term is supposed to represent.[1]

While the term has been applied to the claim that Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection can be used to understand the social endurance of a nation or country, social Darwinism commonly refers to ideas that predate Darwin's publication of On the Origin of Species. Others whose ideas are given the label include the 18th century clergyman Thomas Malthus, and Darwin's cousin Francis Galton who founded eugenics towards the end of the 19th century.

Some claim that it supports racism on the lines set out by Arthur de Gobineau before Darwin published his theories, which directly contradict Darwin's own work. This classification of social Darwinism constitutes part of the reaction against the Nazi regime and the Holocaust.

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Despite the fact that social Darwinism bears Darwin's name and his works were widely read by social Darwinists, the theory also draws on the work of many authors, including Herbert Spencer, Thomas Malthus, and Francis Galton, the founder of eugenics. Darwin himself gave serious consideration to Galton's work, but thought the ideas of "hereditary improvement" impractical. Aware of weaknesses in his own family, he was sure that families would naturally refuse such selection and wreck the scheme. He thought that even if compulsory registration was the only way to improve the human race, this illiberal idea would be unacceptable, and it would be better to publicize the "principle of inheritance" and let people decide for themselves.[2] In The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex of 1882 he described how medical advances meant that the weaker were able to survive and have families, and commented on the effects of this, while cautioning that hard reason should not override sympathy, and considering how other factors might reduce the effect -

Thus the weak members of civilised societies propagate their kind. No one who has attended to the breeding of domestic animals will doubt that this must be highly injurious to the race of man. It is surprising how soon a want of care, or care wrongly directed, leads to the degeneration of a domestic race; but excepting in the case of man himself, hardly any one is so ignorant as to allow his worst animals to breed.

The aid which we feel impelled to give to the helpless is mainly an incidental result of the instinct of sympathy, which was originally acquired as part of the social instincts, but subsequently rendered, in the manner previously indicated, more tender and more widely diffused. Nor could we check our sympathy, even at the urging of hard reason, without deterioration in the noblest part of our nature. ... We must therefore bear the undoubtedly bad effects of the weak surviving and propagating their kind; but there appears to be at least one check in steady action, namely that the weaker and inferior members of society do not marry so freely as the sound; and this check might be indefinitely increased by the weak in body or mind refraining from marriage, though this is more to be hoped for than expected

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What is Social Darwinism what do you think about Social Darwinism do you think the ideas of Social Darwinism still have an effect on our society why or why not?

Social Darwinism is a belief that certain individuals or groups of people are more fit to survive and prosper in society because of their inherent superiority. This concept has been widely discredited as it promotes discrimination, inequality, and justifies harmful social practices. While the explicit ideas of Social Darwinism may not be as prevalent today, its influence can still be seen in discriminatory attitudes and unequal power dynamics in society.


Is the belief that life is a competitive struggle in which only the fittest survive imperialism federalism jingoism Social Darwinism?

Social Darwinism.


Did The Progressive believe in Social Darwinism?

No, the Progressive reformers did not believe in Social Darwinism. They believed that its competition and conflict were both detrimental to their society.


How can you use the words social Darwinism in a sentence?

Social Darwinism is the belief that certain social groups are more fit for survival and success due to natural selection principles. Some individuals argue that social Darwinism has been used to justify inequalities and discrimination in society.


What year did Social Darwinism start?

Social Darwinism emerged in the late 19th century, gaining popularity in the 1870s and 1880s. It was influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and was used to justify various social, political, and economic ideologies.

Related Questions

What is Social Darwinism what do you think about Social Darwinism do you think the ideas of Social Darwinism still have an effect on our society why or why not?

Social Darwinism is a belief that certain individuals or groups of people are more fit to survive and prosper in society because of their inherent superiority. This concept has been widely discredited as it promotes discrimination, inequality, and justifies harmful social practices. While the explicit ideas of Social Darwinism may not be as prevalent today, its influence can still be seen in discriminatory attitudes and unequal power dynamics in society.


How did social Darwinism effect europeans attitudes?

It led Europeans to believe that they were better than Asians and Africans.


What are the ideas of Darwinism and how do they relate to Social Darwinism?

it helps solve social, political, and ecumenical issues. :)


Is the belief that life is a competitive struggle in which only the fittest survive imperialism federalism jingoism Social Darwinism?

Social Darwinism.


Did The Progressive believe in Social Darwinism?

No, the Progressive reformers did not believe in Social Darwinism. They believed that its competition and conflict were both detrimental to their society.


How can you use the words social Darwinism in a sentence?

Social Darwinism is the belief that certain social groups are more fit for survival and success due to natural selection principles. Some individuals argue that social Darwinism has been used to justify inequalities and discrimination in society.


What philosophy did Americans use for social progress?

Social Darwinism :)


What year did Social Darwinism start?

Social Darwinism emerged in the late 19th century, gaining popularity in the 1870s and 1880s. It was influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and was used to justify various social, political, and economic ideologies.


Was Rudyard Kipling against social Darwinism?

There is some debate about Rudyard Kipling's views on social Darwinism. Some argue that his works may have reflected elements of social Darwinism, while others suggest that he critiqued the idea through his portrayal of characters and societies in his stories. Ultimately, it is not definitive whether Kipling was explicitly against or in favor of social Darwinism.


How did social Darwinism effect on imperialism?

Social Darwinism was used to justify imperialism by arguing that the strongest nations should conquer weaker ones in order to ensure their survival and dominance. This belief system provided a moral justification for the exploitation and colonization of other societies, leading to increased competition for resources and territories among colonial powers. Ultimately, social Darwinism fueled the expansion of empires and the subjugation of indigenous peoples in the name of progress and civilization.


Who began social Darwinism?

Charlie Brown


How did social darwinism impact imperialism?

it didnt