Publication Date

May 2015

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Biology scientist Charles Darwin, author of "The Origin of Species," concluded that "the survival of the fittest" is an axiom descriptive of observed nature in his native England and on his two-year voyage on the MSS Beagle to South America. From Darwin's ideas social philosopher Herbert Spencer posited the theory that for society/civilization to succeed, only the fittest humans, societies, nations will/should survive. Therefore, helping the infirm, the sick, and the "lower" members of any community/society/nation is contrary to the law of nature, and will lead to the "imperfection of mankind." This idea came to be called Social Darwinism.

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