Brenton
Was Charles Darwin a Racist?
February 14th 2008 05:41
A Social Theory of Evolution
Darwinism is effectively the theory of Evolution – the idea that different species evolve through the thriving of creatures with useful genetic traits, which go on to pass on their traits, and the elimination of genetic traits that do not lend themselves to survival.
Social Darwinism is the slightly obscure application of Darwinism to Human beings. The reasoning goes like this; race one has these specific characteristics, which may allow them to be successful. Therefore if we look at the most successful raes in society, we should recognize them as more highly evolved, whereas other less successful races are less evolved and are therefore lesser (For more on this idea, see Nonymous’ post on race and intelligence).
While social Darwinism is to an extent based on sincere Darwinism, it is ultimately inconsistent with Darwin’s scientific views. In fact, Charles Darwin had a considerably progressive view of Negroes for his time.
While Darwinism today, despite controversy, is scientifically accepted, social Darwinism has never been a true element of the theory of evolution, and is more a tool of hate than a genuine scientific theory.
Image from Aaron M Licensed under an attribution Creative commons license
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Comment by Damo
I really don't think we can blame Darwin for something that he did not intend nor promote.
I remember reading origins of species years ago and wondering how people ended up drawing such warped conclusions.
However Social Dawinism is a social strata theory using Darwinism as evidence. Not the other way around. Yet such attitude existed prior to the theory in the form of Class division and aristocracy. Back then it was all about the breeding.
We cannot discount the contribution that Darwinism made to enlightenment era philosophers and what followed them. Fascism, communism and nazism all claimed to be sons of the enlightenment and of Darwin. Eugenics was based entirely upon the Social Darwinist model of some being superior to others and there for more deserving of reward.
In a way it is like blaming the invention of the mass printing press for the seditious pamphlets. One was not possible without the other but one is not the cause of the other.
That is all I wanted to say.
Comment by Brenton
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We seem to have a few wres crossed here.
I agree with you completely - the point of this article was in fact to highlight the distinction between the theory of evolution and the Psuedo Science of social Darwinism.
Comment by Damo
I was not slamming you as I figure that you were aiming at that path.
I was just being verbose.
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum