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Darwinism and Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism can be defined as the application of Charles Darwin’s theory of biological evolution through natural selection to human psychology, behavior, culture, and history. It is controversial, with scholars disputing its precise meaning, its connection with Darwin’s own ideas, and its role and significance in social and political thought. Moreover, Darwinism has been modified during the twentieth century due to advances in biology and related sciences, and these modifications have influenced Social Darwinism. It is, therefore, important to understand Darwinism as it was initially formulated in Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in 1859 (1963) and the different ways it was interpreted by social theorists and ideologues until the end of World War II. Modern Social Darwinism likewise needs ...
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