Social Darwinism Criticism

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1:1 Introduction
Social Darwinism is a theory that came up in the late nineteenth century. This theory is of the view that the laws of evolution, which Charles Darwin had observed in nature, also apply to the society, and that social progress resulted from conflicts in which the fittest are the best adapted individuals, and are the ones that survive. However this theory of Social Darwinism shall be critically discussed below.
1:2 Main Discussions
According to this theory in his book Origin of species, it was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the weak were diminished and their cultures delimited, while the stronger grew in power and in cultural influence over the weak. Social Darwinists held that life of humans in a society was a struggle for existence ruled by survival of the fittest a phrase proposed by the British philosopher and scientist Herbert Spencer.
Moreover Social Darwinism was developed in late nineteenth century it was a sociological theory that was based on the theories of biological evolution and natural selection put forth by biologists. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace and on social philosopher Herbert Spencer's theory of socio cultural evolution, survival of the fittest. Social Darwinists argued that societies like organism evolved by a natural process through which the fit members survived or were most successful. The theory went hand in hand with political conservatism the most successful social classes were supposedly composed of people who were biologically superior. However this does not suggest that this theory was good.
This theory encourages a ruthless system of self interest and intolerant treatment of others. Often those who believe in Social Darwinism believe that the society...

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...n were created in the image of God Genesis 1 vs. 27 and they were given control over all the earth this domination however was not to be a totalitarian despotism, but a stewardship under God for the earth is of the lord Psalms 24 vs. 1.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Origin of Species by means of natural selection (Charles Darwin)
Mismeasure of Man (Steven Jay Gould)
Vestiges of the natural history of creation (Robert Chambers)
The Descent of Man and Selection In Relation to Sex
Christianchat.com/ bible/ 69459
The Bible
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Wikipedia.

SOLUSI UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
AN ASSIGNMENT DONE IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE: SCIENCE OF ORIGINS
COURSE CODE: RELT 389
TOPIC: DISCUSS THE SOCIAL DARWINISM THEORY. ( TERM PAPER)
PRESENTED BY

MILLIET R. MANINGI 2011050003

LECTURER: PS C SIBANDA
SEM SUMMER :

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