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Darwin's Theory Of Natural Selection In The 19th Century

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In 1859 the British naturalist Charles Darwin published his research in a book named On the Origin of Species. Darwin concluded that there must be the existence of a “general law” regarding the evolution of species through the process of the stronger species outlasting the weaker species this would become known as “natural selection (Hawkins, 224).” This theory, originated by economist Thomas Malthus, was defined by Darwin as comprising three levels of a “struggle for existence” among life. The three struggles, according to Darwin that every species had to overcome was their environment, other organisms different from themselves, and competing with members of their own species (Hawkins, 225). This led to Darwin concluding that even humans have to face these struggles which meant that humans went through the same effects of natural selection such as the emergence of new species. Darwin avoided the speculation that humans had evolved from other different species to …show more content…

These theorists concluded that not only had the physical attributes of humans evolved through natural selection, but so too had the mental and social aspects such as morality, religion, marriage, and warfare. Through these assumptions came, the theory of Social Darwinism and the followers of this theorem would help shape social and political life in the second half of the 19th century in Europe.
Social Darwinists argued on the basis of Darwin's theory of natural selection that the best-adapted humans rose to the top of social, political, and economic strata. Therefore, they argued, those members at the top of society, either by virtue of hard work or birth, were the

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A 19th century philosopher, Herbert Spencer, promoted the idea of social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the theory of natural selection to social, political, and economic issues. The social Darwinism follows the mantra of “the strong survive.” this theory was used to promote the idea that the white europeans race was superior to others. Many people who are social darwinist embraced laissez-faire capitalism and racism.

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William Graham Sumner, a Yale graduated sociologist, became a prominent figure in the world of Social Darwinists. Social Darwinism was a theory that tried to apply Charles Darwin’s biological law of natural selection to the human race. Charles Darwin’s idea of natural selection explained that some animals and plants are better adapted to their environment than others, allowing them to strive more than others. On the other hand, Social Darwinists believed these same rules applied to humans and used the basis of his argument to justify the social inequalities during the time period. Sumner expressed his views on this subject in an essay written in the late nineteenth century.

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Social Darwinism was a sociological hypothesis well known in late nineteenth-century Europe and the Assembled States. It combined Charles Darwin's hypothesis of common determination and Herbert Spencer's sociological speculations to legitimize government, prejudice, and free enterprise (i.e. preservationist) social and monetary strategies. Social Darwinists contended that people and gatherings, much the same as plants and creatures, rivaled each other for achievement in life. They utilized this declaration to legitimize existing conditions by guaranteeing that the people or gatherings of people at the highest point of social, monetary, or political pecking orders had a place there, as they had contended with others and had demonstrated themselves

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Based on the Social Darwinism, it argued that only the fittest in human political and economic struggle. This theory were placed and applied in the society. If people were poor or struggle it was their fault. They were viewed negatively by American and were assumed that they were lazy and tend to be inferior because of their character.

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Upon further analysis, an article called Runaway Social Selection in Human Evolution gives insight into Darwin’s ideas on the descent of humans and Alexander’s runaway social and sexual selection. Sexual selection occurs to increase mating. Species will often pick the most fit to mate with, this increases their chance of survival and ensures their lineage will survive in the future (Crespi et al., 2022). Traits enhance over time due to selective pressures, the favorable traits are passed on, and become adaptive traits. As species continue to mate, these traits will be favored among that population (Crespi et al., 2022).

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A Rhetorical Analysis of William Graham Sumner William Graham Sumner had a great influence on Social Darwinism in the nineteenth century. Sumner was a Sociology professor at Yale University, who adopted the idea of Social Darwinism because of his belief in the survival of the fittest. Even though he did not fully commit to Social Darwinism, he did promote the idea of the constant struggle against nature. He explains that in order for survival, one needs to struggle and compete with nature to provide our basic human needs of food and water. During the Gilded Age, businessmen and the middle class men supported the theory of Social Darwinism which was first introduced by the pioneers of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer.

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Starting in the late 19th century, social Darwinism became a popular view among Americans. It was a theory advocated by Herbert Spencer, who used the ideas from Charles Darwin, and said that humans behave under laws of natural selection. The theory said that there is a struggle for existence among people, and that only the most fit will survive in a society. This includes people with high social positions and wealth. For the poor with little wealth and social status, they will most likely struggle to exist and die off.

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In 1859, Charls Darwin set out his theory of evolution by natural selection as an explanation for adaptation and speciation. Charles Darwin theory of natural selection is one of the corner stones of morden biology. The concept, published by Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in a joint presentation of papers in 1858, was elaborated in Darwins influencial 1859 book on the origins of species. Darwins ideas, along with Adam Smith and Karl Max had a profound influence on 19th century thought. The influence of Darwins theory has spread from evolutionary biology to other disciplines, including evolutionary computation, quantum Darwinism, evolutionary

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