Was Darwin a Social-Darwinist ?

Question

Was Darwin a Social-Darwinist ?

Answer 1

Social Darwinism often used the theory to justify social inequality as being meritocratic, and it has also been used to justify racism and imperialism, in a cultural application of Herbert Spencer's idea of the "survival of the fittest," although Social Darwinism itself does not necessarily engender a political position: some Social Darwinists argue for the inevitability of progress and social reform, while others emphasize the potential for the degeneration of humanity. To a certain extent, Social Darwinism has been associated with the controversial field of eugenics.



While Social Darwinism applies the concept of evolution and natural selection to human cultural systems, none of the political and quasi-theological ideologies related to it are a part of Darwin's biological theory of evolution.



It can be concluded that he was not a Social-Darwinist but definitely he was a Darwinist.

Answer 2

Social Darwinist ideas are BASED on Darwin's theories. Whether he is one or not, well... better to ask an Anthropologist or Historian. The man's dead.

Answer 3

No he was not!