Was Darwin a Social Darwinist?

             Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was published in 1859. In it, Darwin described the idea that animals evolved through variation and natural selection of those fittest to endure in particular environments. In 1871 Darwin applied this theory directly to human beings in The Descent of Man. Before either of these two works was published, Herbert Spencer was already contemplating the questions of evolution and progress. Spencer's ideas received a substantial boost from Darwin's theories, and Spencer's theories became generally known as "Social Darwinism." Although very similar in name, Darwinism and Social Darwinism have very little in common aside from a few basic concepts. By understanding the main ideas behind Darwinism and Social Darwinism, the fact that Social Darwinists have incorrectly applied Darwin's original theories is made clear.
             In "On the Origin of Species," Darwin presented his idea that species evolve from more primitive species through the process of natural selection, which occurs spontaneously in nature. "No one supposes that all the individuals of the same species are cast in the very same mold" (Darwin 113). Rather, individuals have variations and some of these variations make their bearers better tailored to particular ecological conditions. The accumulation of adaptations to a particular ecological system leads to the development of separate species, each adapted to its own natural area. The publication of On the Origin of Species was followed in 1871 by The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex. In On the Origin of Species Darwin laid forth his theory of evolution in relation to animals; it wasn't until The Descent of Man that Darwin presented his ideas on human evolution. Darwin was aware that his theory would shock his contemporaries even without the inclusion of humans, for this reason he reserved his thoughts on human evolution until The Descent of Man (Alland 3). Darwin plainly states in...

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Was Darwin a Social Darwinist?. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 17:46, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/33252.html