Darwinism and Social Darwinism

Darwinism and Social Darwinism

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Darwinism and Social Darwinism

Introduction

Darwinism and Social Darwinism influenced one of the changes that took place in Europe between the 1700's and 1800's. Darwinism and Social Darwinism is a social philosophy that uses Natural Selection from the theory of Darwin to human society in Europe (Mason, 2015). Social Darwinism and Darwinism is analyzed from the theory of Darwin. Nevertheless, Darwinism and Social Darwinism is a belief that was popular in Europe because it resulted to change, more so, the era of Queen Victoria of England. The objective of this essay is to evaluate how change took place in modern Europe as a result of the theory of Darwinism and Social Darwinism and its effects in European Continent. The essay will begin with the discussion of the theory of Social Darwinism and explain the impact of this theory. Finally, the paper will provide a conclusion of the paper.  

Darwinism and Social Darwinism

This theory brought change to modern Europe. The theory was brought forward by Herbert Spencer between the 1700’s and 1800’s. This theory is a general term that stands for various changes that occured in which individuals tried to use a narrow and distorted interpretation of the philosophy of natural selection to cultural system of Humans (Mason, 2015). The changes of Darwinism lasted from 1700’s to 1950’s during the Second World War. This philosophy of Darwinism-natural selection is a concept applicable to the human society (Mason, 2015). The theory of Darwinism and Social Darwinism states that natural selection plays a critical role in the human development and evolution. Many supporters of Social Darwinism have stated that this theory resulted in changes in the universe such as imperialism, racism, and social inequality (Mason, 2015). However, the changes of Social Darwinism is not related to the political tendency. Some supporters of this theory use this concept to demonstrate inevitable change and social progress. They think that the degradation of humans is inevitable. Some concepts derived from Social Darwinism include racism, eugenics, and competition. These concept also brought change in the world.

Competition

One of the change that was brought up was competition. Social Darwinism states that people, mainly the males have to compete for future survival (Mason, 2015).  They changed in their behaviors by not helping the poor because they are required to find a way to feed themselves. Currently, some changes that have been made by the supporters of Social Darwinism is to encourage higher wages and the improvement of working conditions to give the poor a chance to take care of their needs.  

Eugenics

Eugenics is another human interpretation of the theory of Social Darwinism that resulted to changes in Europe. This philosophy was brought up by Francis Galton who is a cousin to Charles Darwin. He states that the change in physical characteristics of people are critical from one generation to another (Mason, 2015).  Therefore, the brain qualities of human beings such as talent and genius have the same principle. Hence, changes should occur in a community where the community is required to have a clear genetic decision to better their eugenics.

Racism

The changes in competition of ideologies and superiority of races was related to the theory of Darwinism and Social Darwinism. The concept regarding the race of the Social Darwinism Theory should civilize other races in the world. The Evolution Theory of Darwin divides the races on the principles of Natural Selection Theory and Genetic Bifurcation (Mason, 2015). The modification Genetic Bifurcation is a collection of genetic material that isolated each other. They can come up with their unique distinctiveness. This theory is used to all living organisms. The reason is that the bifurcation of genes makes people to be classified to various ethnic groups and races.

Impacts of Social Darwinism

The various concepts of Social Darwinism brought changes to the existence of different indigenous communities across the world. Most of the indigenous tribes across the world such as Africans tribes, Australians, and Native Americans were excluded from rest of the world before Europeans settled in these continents. In the early 1900’s the theory of Social Darwinism was famous across the world. The Racial Concepts of Social Darwinism were applied to justify how the settlers from Europe brought changes in other continents (Mason, 2015). These people were considered inferior race and subhuman. Social Darwinism led to the near extiction of Native Americans and indigenous Australians. Some of the changes in treatment is that these people were discriminated due to their skin colors. Therefore, Social Darwinism led to the rise of racial discrimination all over the world. Non-Europeans were treated like experimental Animal. This treatment promoted slavery.