When people use the term Darwinism, do they mean something different from evolutionary theory?

Question

I ask the question here because I see that term used frequently on R&S and I'm wondering if there is a separate meaning to it.

Answer 1

And if you are a Darwinist, are you different than an evolutionist?

Or do all made up terms lead to the same value?

Answer 2

Err, umm, men began living in societies and as such introduced a new ball game requiring sophisticated language. And once we had language we could make the world the object of our wills. A person who has been raised in a closet without learning language is little more than a brute. Something you might find interesting was an experiment done with college students and chimps. The chimps were taught how to do basic arithmetic and college students were instructed not to use language in their thinking when working out arithmetic problems. Chimps and college students were pitted against each other and basically tied. P.S This is a pure bullshit argument: "How then can Dawkins explain the massive over-engineering of the human brain? What useful survival skills did music and advanced mathematical ability give to our hunter ancestors?" 1. You are implying designers with the use of "over-engineering". The evidence? 2. You could say that a funnel-web spider is over-engineered because its toxin is far more potent than it needs.Would you argue that malevolent aliens designed the funnel-web spider? 3. Evolution can throw up all sorts of quirks - some work really well, incredibly well and others don't. Like the spider we got something, a brain, that you say is more than we need. So pharking what? It doesn't prove the existence of designers.

Answer 3

Sometimes the words are used synonymously. However, Darwin posited both the theory of evolution and theories regarding the processes of evolution (survival of the fittest, for example). These are different things. We understand that things change over time (evolution), but we put forth many theories regarding the mechanisms affecting that change (survival of the fittest, mutations). Darwinism deals with the mechanisms as Darwin presented them.

Answer 4

They use it because it is not clear at all. It could refer to the philosophy based on the writings of Darwin. It could refer to its extension to justify mistreatment of the underclasses (Social Darwinism). It could refer to the theory of evolution even though it is so far beyond the writings of Darwin. Ultimately it could refer to the theory of evolution, geology, abiogenesis, cosmology, and any other science the Creationists don't like.

Why do Creationists use such vague terminology? When you have no facts, the only way to prevent your arguments from being refuted is to make it unclear what you are talking about. When one aspect is shot down, you say it wasn't what you meant.

Answer 5

The word Darwinism is nothing other than a flag signifying that the person saying it is a Creationist.

It was created by them for the express purpose of labeling people who embrace scientific progress as belonging to some kind of "movement" or "cult". In this way, they are attempting to bring science down to their level, as if it was some sort of unfounded belief system.

Answer 6

I think they are attempting to say that Biology hasn't progressed at all in the last 150 years. It isn't even really necessary to study Darwin anymore to grasp evolution. Modern research is way past that. It is only really important to study him to put it in historical context and see just how much that one idea was able to predict.

Answer 7

I throw it all together. Darwin's origen of life, the lies of the ever changing specie, i.e. Pilt Down man, Nebraska Man, Lucy , etc. Man's great attempt to prove there is no God. Man's changing adaptation to micro-evolution to fit his purpose. Man's attempt to squash all men from being against evolution. Even University professors are often afraid to speak against evolution. I call it a creation of the anti-christ and as usual the devil uses man to spread his lies.
Where is the ever changing specie with new information? You can manipulate it by mixing genes, but it does not evolve.
An example of this is the mouse with a man's ear on its back.

You either believe God or believe man. I choose God.

Answer 8

Some might. Usually it's a way of trying to present evolution as a belief rather than a theory.

Answer 9

Not especially. They're essentially referring to the teaching of Darwin. They don't tend to include his works on the actions of earthworms on leafmould, or his thirty year study or barnacles, because they tend to be rather boring.

Answer 10

If you want to discredit Darwinism you can expand its meaning to include Social Darwinism.