Social Darwinism

Herbert Spencer

Thomas Robert Malthus Wellcome L0069037 -crop

Francis Galton 1850s

Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1969-067-10, Alfred Rosenberg

Social Darwinism is a term used to refer to various ways of thinking and theories that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which applied the concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest to human society, politics, and economics. The term itself is somewhat misleading, as Charles Darwin, the scientist behind the theory of evolution by natural selection, did not advocate for these applications of his scientific theories. Social Darwinism is not a unified theory but rather a collection of ideas that interpret human society primarily through the lens of biological determinism.

Origins and Development

The origins of Social Darwinism can be traced back to the interpretations of Darwin's work by other theorists, notably Herbert Spencer, who is famous for coining the phrase "survival of the fittest." Spencer applied Darwinian ideas to his own theories on sociology, economics, and ethics, advocating that competition among individuals, groups, and nations was natural and that it would inevitably lead to the betterment of humanity. This interpretation was used to justify various political and economic policies, including laissez-faire capitalism, imperialism, and colonialism.

Key Concepts

Social Darwinism encompasses a range of ideas and concepts, some of the most significant include:

• Survival of the Fittest: This concept, borrowed from Darwinian evolutionary theory, was applied to justify why certain individuals or groups achieve greater economic and social success.
• Natural Selection in Society: The idea that social structures and hierarchies are determined by natural selection, and that interference with this process would be detrimental to societal progress.
• Eugenics: Some proponents of Social Darwinism advocated for eugenics, the practice of controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics in humans.

Criticism and Impact

Social Darwinism has been widely criticized for its deterministic view of human society and its justification of inequality and racism. It has been used to justify a range of inhumane policies and practices, including forced sterilizations, racial segregation, and the extermination of perceived "inferior" populations. In the 20th century, the scientific community and public opinion largely rejected Social Darwinism due to its association with such policies and its lack of scientific basis.

Legacy

Despite its controversial history, the legacy of Social Darwinism persists in some areas of thought and policy. Debates about the role of competition, natural selection, and "fitness" in human society continue, particularly in discussions about economic policy and social welfare. However, contemporary understanding of genetics, evolution, and sociology has moved significantly beyond the simplistic interpretations of Social Darwinism.