What was Social Darwinism?

Question

What was Social Darwinism?

A. The belief that the "survival of the fittest" applied to human society and that only the strongest people should survive and prosper.
B. A scientific alternative to Darwin's theory of evolution that was taught in schools instead of natural selection.
C. Charles Darwin's explanation of how human society developed over time from prehistory to the present.
D. A political movement that tried to get rid of all private property and share it equally among the people.

Answer 1

A.
This was the basis for all the problems in society during the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. (yeah blame it on a dead guy)

Answer 2

A. The belief that the "survival of the fittest" applied to human society and that only the strongest people should survive and prosper.

100% sure

Darwin's theory of evolution was that animals adapted or died out. Social Darwinism was a theory held by aristocrats that they were wealthier and therefore stronger, and the poor were either defective or lazy in their eyes, so the poor would die out getting rid of the undesirables in society and leaving room for the "better" class.

Answer 3

You know it's funny, the most religious creationists tend to be the biggest social Darwinists. People who accept biological evolution through natural selection are usually avidly against social Darwinism. That could have to do with education level and politics (capitalism DOES dip its toes in the pool of social Darwinism). Understanding human history and where social Darwinism comes from is important. It certainly doesn't come from Darwin... I think he would have condemned it.

Answer 4

A. The belief that the "survival of the fittest" applied to human society and that only the strongest people should survive and prosper.

Just learned about it. Very interesting subject.

Answer 5

The misguided attempt to apply "survival of the best adapted species" in Darwinism to a "survival of the fittest" political agenda in society.

Answer 6

Ayn Rand did a lot of writing about how society would benefit from Social Dawinism. Her books, both nonfiction and fiction were best sellers in the 1950's.
Social Darwinism is still being touted today. Her philosphy is called Objectivism.

Answer 7

A philosophy developed from the 19th century that corresponds to "A "above.

It can be summed up by this short poem blurted out in 1897 when a small group of white miners in Rhodesia got surrounded by a big impi of Chief Lobengula of the Ndebele who was disputing their arrival on the territory :

"Whatever happens,
We have got
The Maxim gun
And They do not!

Regards,

Michael Kelly

Answer 8

A

but it also involved rasicm against blacks during the times when europe was conquering africa

Answer 9

Pretty much the mixing,creating, and changing of languages and cultures

Answer 10

A. was used by hitler to justify the holocaust.