Darwin’s Theory Misapplied: Survival of the Fittest Fallacy
In the late 19th century, the misapplication of Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory led to the rise of Social Darwinism and Reform Darwinism. Social Darwinists, like Herbert Spencer, wrongly asserted that societal progress should follow the ruthless laws of nature, while Reform Darwinists, exemplified by Lester Frank Ward, advocated for conscious societal evolution. Both ideologies misconstrued Darwin's principles, equating "survival of the fittest" with social policy. However, such interpretations neglect the complexity of human societies and ethical considerations, emphasizing the need for a just and equitable approach to social progress.