Theories of Social Evolution Herbert Spencer versus Franz Boaz

451 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: The evolutionary theory

Theories of Social Evolution Herbert Spencer versus Franz Boaz

Herbert Spencer and Franz Boaz had two opposing theories on the social evolution

theory. Each theory was difficult to prove but great theories. But both theories had it's ups and

downs.

Herbert Spencer was born in England, he is best known for developing and applying the

evolutionary theory to philosophy and psychology. The evolutionary theory states that societies

go from simple societies to complex societies. The more complex a society is the more evolved

they are.

A complex society is more civilized with different social levels of politics, such as slaves

and kings. He proclaimed, "Only the strongest survives.". Spencer explained a king is the ruler

of everyone because he is the strongest. The different social levels caused a complex society to

be more competitive, thus progressive.

A simple society, consisting of hunters and gathers, are considered less evolved, thus

weaker then those of a complex society. A simple society was said to consist of all equal ...

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Imperial Presidency by Arthur Schlesinger and Presidental Power by Richard Neustadt

    2161 Words  | 5 Pages

    compromise of the two theories. There was also some debate over the power of the

    Read More

  • Corrption of Power On All in One Flew Over the Cuckoo´s Nest

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... of that era. He saw that all can be corrupted by power and that no group for that reason should be better than another.

    Read More

  • Louis XIV and Peter The Great

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    that ll the power was contained in himself. So he did a very clever thing, he took

    Read More

  • Guns Germs And Steel Thesis

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    I believe that the environment deiced whether a society will or will not have technology, militaristic and farming abilities imbedded within the society. That will give an advantage so that one society is better equipped than others.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Leadership in Lord of the Flies

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are always people who, in a group, come out with better qualities to be a leader than others.  The strongest people however, become the greater influences which the others decide to follow.  However, sometimes the strongest person is not the best choice.  Authors often show how humans select this stronger person to give an understanding of the different powers that people can posses over others.

    Read More

  • The Political Spectrum

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    - Believes that a society is complex because of the many elements involved in it, which

    Read More

  • Global Issues within the First Civilizations

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    After paraphrasing the text, the reader can define the term “civilization” as something representing a new type of society due to the high rate of productivity caused by Agricultural Revolution. Along with this newfound “civilization” came positive and negative effects that affected the way the society grew (or diminished). Every society has its on issues, specifically speaking, within this time period, sexism, slavery, illness, degradation of the environment, and economic inequality. Inequality seemed to be based on the same terms of to...

    Read More

  • Why Darwinism Is Just A Theory?

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    Evolution in general, is a hard concept to grasp. There are multiple factors that effect the outcome a species, for example: genetics, nurture, nature, and the environment all play an important role. It was once said that species do not survive due to the fact that they are the strongest or the most intelligent, but because that species is the most responsive to change.

    Read More

  • Mesoamerican Civilization Essay

    1254 Words  | 3 Pages

    These now settled groups progressed into the Archaic period and began advancing into a more complex society. These archaic settlements developed culture and technology that was shared with neighboring settled groups. The exchange of ideas between these groups formed into a shared culture that began developing into a culturally distinct people.

    Read More

  • Morality And Morality

    3173 Words  | 7 Pages

    ...y. While understanding that Master Morality and Slave Morality are just the basis of what makes up all Morals and just as though our values where made of interchangeable parts we mix and match what feels right and what works for us as individuals. These basic morals that we tend to identify with will dictate how we align ourselves politically, socially, and religiously; because there is not a true ruling class or ruled class it is difficult to see the blurred lines that separate us morally. This is a product of our Democratic government that ensures our freedoms to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness but in turn does allow there to be such a dramatic difference between the wealthiest and the poorest of people. The system is not perfect but what makes it wonderful is the ability to adapt and change with the times and to improve itself for the benefit of all.

    Read More

  • Alexander The Great: Alexander The Great

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    Alexander the Great grew up seeing his father conquering what seemed to be everything within reach. This amazing feat instilled the mentality that someone who is “strong” can conquer everything (lecture). Exposed to his father’s achievements as a child, coupled with the teachings of the famous phil...

    Read More

  • Is Pluto No Longer A Planet?

    157 Words  | 1 Pages

    To begin, theories change in different ways. For example, theories change if facts are found to be incorrect, maybe something was not thought out enough, and if any of the trials fail. In 460-370 B.C some scientists were to believe that atoms were completely solid because atoms were so small they couldn’t split. In 500 B.C Leucippus and Democritus proposed that all matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms that can't be split into smaller pieces. In 1821 Michael Faraday discovered electricity by carrying a wire with an electric current to a magnetic pole and then the wire rotated. Also, in 1930-2006 scientists decided that Pluto was not a planet but was a dwarf planet and the reason why Pluto is no longer a planet is because astronomers

    Read More

  • C. Wright Mills' The Promise

    857 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... Each individual comes from a different culture and background therefore each may react differently to society. For example a person of a certain religion may find it extremely difficult to accept gay marriage while those of other religions or those who are more open minded will not be affected by it. For those who oppose it, it may cause them to feel deeply uncomfortable with society. Another example can be seen with social networking and the media. Some individuals may not care for fashion, or making sure that they upload the latest gossip on their Facebook pages which proves that it wouldn’t affect everyone. Although some of his strengths can also be weaknesses; I do agree that certain factors such as war and natural disasters can affect a society as a whole.

    Read More

  • Franz Boas Argument Against Cultural Evolution

    535 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first anthropologist who argue against the cultural evolution is Franz Boas. Although Boas was born in Germany he did most of his work in the United States. He was the first person to identify the four field approach. He believed that anthropology can fall under cultural, linguistic, archeology and biology. This is important because it gives people who going to be in the field something to focus on instead of it being broad. Besides that another important contribution he did was the historical particularism theory. This theory discusses that each society has its own historical progress creating cultural uniqueness. These unique cultures should be understood in its own cultural and environmental context (book2. p.106). I was ecstatic when

    Read More

  • Charles Darwin And Karl Marx's The Origin Of Species

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    The 19th century was full of revolutionary individuals seeking a higher knowledge and understanding of the way life and society operated. Two such individuals were Charles Darwin and Karl Marx. Each being masters of their own trade, Darwin was a scientist interested in the topics of natural history and the origins of species; while Marx was a philosopher who explored sociology, political history, and economic history. Over time, Darwin eventually became universally recognized as the father of the idea for natural selection and evolution, explaining these theories in a novel entitled The Origin of Species. Marx also became universally recognized for coining the term Marxism, a form of communism that centers on the idea of a utopian society with

    Read More

More about Theories of Social Evolution Herbert Spencer versus Franz Boaz

Open Document