The scientific and academic community would soon fall for the belief in Darwinism and be strong supports of the theories (Influence of Evolution). The theory of evolution was based on individuals acquiring traits that enable those possessing the new traits a higher chance to survive in the worst conditions, compared to those who don't possess them. Darwins theory of evolution impacted not only the Nazi party, but the majority of German citizens. He's idea's that he was bringing up consisted of: a 'Superior race', his theory “Survival of the fittest”, and that nature takes it course. Thus getting the Nazis to expunge the Judeo-Christian doctrine in schools and replace it with Darwinism.
The “expunging of the Judeo-Christian doctrine of the divine origin of humans from mainline German (liberal) theology and its schools, and replacing it with Darwinism, openly contributed to the acceptance of Social Darwinism that culminated in the tragedy of the holocaust.”1Darwin’s theory most likely lead to the death of over nine million people in concentration camps, and about 40 million other humans in a war that cost about six trillion dollars.2 The climate was perfect for the widespread predication of Social Darwinism based primarily on the acceptance by the academic and scientific community. If one studies Darwinism to even the slightest degree, one could see its roots in the fact that evolution proceeds only because the fittest and the stron... ... middle of paper ... ...was our Christ and we have killed him. Or, what Hitler attempted ranks him among the most monstrous of all humans in humankind. An assessment by “Youngson concluded that the application of Darwinism to society, called eugenics, produced one of the most tragic scientific blunders of all time: ‘The culmination of this darker side of eugenics was, of course, Adolf Hitler’s attempt to produce a “‘master race’ by encouraging mating between pure ‘Aryans’” and by the murder of six million people whom he claimed to have inferior genes.”5 To say that Hitler was obsessed with the idea of eugenics would be an understatement. Hitler believed Galton to be the principle designer of eugenics but could hardly blame him for the Holocaust or even the consequences that followed.
In the nineteenth century, biology was at its peak. Charles Darwin, who just happens to be Galton’s cousin, had just introduced his idea of survival of the fittest. Galton then took that thesis and dissected it. The result of that mess was what we know today as eugenics. The initial proposal was for genetically perfect people to reproduce with others of the same kind.
One of the most famous British naturalists and geologists, Charles Darwin developed and proved a theory that changed the world’s point of view. Darwin was most known for his theory of evolution. One of the main ideas of his theory was natural selection (“Charles Darwin”). He traveled the world studying different specimens and noticed their similarities and differences. He believed that all living things gradually evolved from common ancestors.
Nazi Germany almost eliminated the entire Jewish population from Europe, and killed millions before they could be stopped. Communist Russia, under the leadership of Stalin, conducted many tests and experiments on humans that lead to the deaths of millions more for no purpose other than to satisfy one man’s curious side. The human race for centuries, and in some parts of the world still does committed slavery. Brutality of human against human has been a common theme through the years, but if you go club one baby seal you would get the chair. Humans have come to accept brutality upon themselves as a fact of life but sit in disgust when it is committed against something else.
One of the most famous people to disbelieve in the existence of God was Charles Darwin. In 1856 Darwin presented a book known as “The Origin of Species” in this book it detailed the first formulate of scientific argument for the theory of evolution by natural selection. Natural selection is defined as a process whereby organisms better adapt to their environment tends to survive and then produce offspring. Evolution from Natural Selection is inferred from three facts first more offspring are produced than can possibly survive. Second traits vary among individuals, leading to different rates of survival and reproduction.
The Effects of Aristotelian Teleological Thought on Darwin's Mechanistic Views of Evolution The need to understand organisms has been a much sought goal of science since its birth as biology. History shows Aristotle and Charles Darwin as two of the most powerful biologists of all time. Aristotle's teleological method was supported widely for over 2,000 years. One scientist remarks that the Aristotelian teleology "has been the ghost, the unexplained mystery which has haunted biology through its whole history" (Ayala, 10). If Aristotle's approach has frightened biology, then Darwin, who actually nicknamed himself the "Devils Chaplain," and his idea of natural selection has virtually dissected Aristotle's ghost.
All leaders must have a vision. Hitler had one of the greatest, although immoral, visions of all time. His vision of wanting to purge the world of all the Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, and anyone else that did not fit his definition of the perfect race. His quest for the perfect race - the Arian race - consisted of blonde-haired, blue-eyed Caucasians combined with his vision of leading Germany to world domination gave him a purpose and the power to inspire others. Although he was not able to complete his vision, he fought for it until the end of his life.
The roots of eugenics can be traced back to Britain in the early 1880’s when Sir Francis Galton generated the term from the Greek word for “well-born”. He defined eugenics as the science of improving stock, whether human or animal. According to the American Eugenics Movement, today’s study of eugenics has many similarities to studies done in the early 20th century. Back then, “Eugenics was, quite literally, an effort to breed better human beings – by encouraging the reproduction of people with "good" genes and discouraging those with "bad" genes.” (www.eugenicsarchive.org) According to Merriam-Webster, the modern day definition of eugenics is, a science that deals with the improvement (as by control of human mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed. The topic of eugenics is a controversial one, but through research it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects.
The Nazi’s believed that the ‘Aryan race’ were superior to all other races because they were the most evolved. They used the idea of eugenics to purify their race by killing anyone seen as inferior such as Jewish people and people with disabilities. The belief that they were superior helped them to justify invading Europe as they saw other races as inferior so they believed they had the right to world domination. Furthermore starting a war was seen as necessary to create conflict as it creates the survival of the fittest. This ideology resulted in World War 2 and approximately 60 million deaths.