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Kailey Wolfe
4/15/2017
Michael Shanshala
HIS 102
Understanding the Impact Social Darwinism had on Social Conformity The nineteenth century was known for the age of scientists and philosophers that flourished and spread their ideas throughout Western civilization. One of the most prominent scientists of the time was Charles Darwin, who introduced his theory of evolution and natural selection in 1859. The theory of evolution spread like wildfire throughout intellectual groups, and from that theory branched many other social theories. The main theory that came about from Darwin’s was Social Darwinism, which dominated Western thought and enforced ideals of racial supremacy and imperialist endeavors. Social Darwinism was used as a means to gain control over other races and civilians, by incorrectly using Darwin’s theory as the central thesis. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was a belief that there was a constant struggle for existence between organisms. Those who succeeded in evolving and dominated their environment were those who would reproduce, and thus the circle of nature would resume. Natural selection dictates …show more content…
It states that Darwin did not condone the new social theory; he merely presented a biological basis that people took into context. Spencer was considered the founder of sociology, and was debatably the most famous intellectual of the time. He was the one that first coined the Social Darwinism theory, so many speculate whether it should be called “Social Darwinism” or “Spencerian Individualism” (Halliday). Intellectuals attempted to explain social evolution through Darwin’s theory. They suggested that race was a product of evolution and that their predominantly white race was the succeeding one, the fittest that would survive. People would examine cultures and determine them to be savage or uncivilized, based off the notion that one race was superior than the
Kailey Wolfe
4/15/2017
Michael Shanshala
HIS 102
Understanding the Impact Social Darwinism had on Social Conformity The nineteenth century was known for the age of scientists and philosophers that flourished and spread their ideas throughout Western civilization. One of the most prominent scientists of the time was Charles Darwin, who introduced his theory of evolution and natural selection in 1859. The theory of evolution spread like wildfire throughout intellectual groups, and from that theory branched many other social theories. The main theory that came about from Darwin’s was Social Darwinism, which dominated Western thought and enforced ideals of racial supremacy and imperialist endeavors. Social Darwinism was used as a means to gain control over other races and civilians, by incorrectly using Darwin’s theory as the central thesis. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was a belief that there was a constant struggle for existence between organisms. Those who succeeded in evolving and dominated their environment were those who would reproduce, and thus the circle of nature would resume. Natural selection dictates …show more content…
It states that Darwin did not condone the new social theory; he merely presented a biological basis that people took into context. Spencer was considered the founder of sociology, and was debatably the most famous intellectual of the time. He was the one that first coined the Social Darwinism theory, so many speculate whether it should be called “Social Darwinism” or “Spencerian Individualism” (Halliday). Intellectuals attempted to explain social evolution through Darwin’s theory. They suggested that race was a product of evolution and that their predominantly white race was the succeeding one, the fittest that would survive. People would examine cultures and determine them to be savage or uncivilized, based off the notion that one race was superior than the