Ideals about the evolution of Humans and beings
Charles Darwin
Darwin was the one who kickstarted the idea of the evolution of animals.
Only some animals would survive
The animals that would survive would be the ones that have the most apropriate trait in regards to the environment (What Is Evolution?, n.d.).
Those animals that did not have the adequate traits would not be able to develop further generations (What Is Evolution?, n.d.).
Darwin was considered to be the one who "Killed God" due to the fact that we are where we are and how we are not due to an external force although due to a natural process gene inheritance from generation to generation
This idea of a no God gave start to an era called Nihilism which brought the discussion of nothingness of that life would have no purpose from that point onwards
Nitzsche
Nitzsche's idea about society and individuals came up during Nihilism
The world at that time had no guidance; God was no longer there to give support and guide humanity. That is where Nietzsche introduced the idea of the superman, would be the individual who would guide our society; Nitzsch's thoughts were mainly based in the psychology of individuals.
This superman would be the one who would speak up and present his ideas and guide the population through his thoughts during all the silence of society. He would be the one who would set parameters.
This would show traits of an authoritarian belief where this individual who would speak up would be the only one leading a big group in society. Additionally, this would resemble a somewhat selfish behavior because it would be a single opinion implemented.
Galton
Galton was the one who developed the idea of eugenics, eugenics are restrictive practices that favor in "improving" the poupulation
These thoughts at the time would be backed up by a inaccurate science showing how there are superior traits and that inferior traits should not be followed along the future because it would be a punishment for future societies
These practices were implemented in different locations in different ways. Some of the methods would include sterilization. For example, those who could have the considered bad genes would not be allowed to reproduce like criminals or people who were disabled.
Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, and sociologist
Richard Dawkins
Herbert Spencer
He justified inequalities as something "natural." Accepting the idea that the poor weren't able to adapt to the world as well as the rich.
Richer Dawkins was the one who Expanded the Darwinian study of natural selection and he introduced the idea of the selfish gene.
Following that ideal, he thought that the government should not help the poor, because it would interfere with "natural selection."
The idea of the selfish gene stated that those who contained the selfish gene would be the ones who would thrive in society and altruists would not be able to survive
He would state that the Africans Americans were the least evolved, while While Anglo-Saxons were the most evolved.
According to Richard Dawkins we should persist in being altruistic even though that is not our nature
In this case an altruistic stability would be reached only with a completely altruistic society otherwise the selfish gene would become dominant
Following that ideal, he thought that the government should not help the poor, because it would interfere with "natural selection."
By doing so, Spencer's theory then justified social classes (not only in the UK, but everywhere around the world).
Connections
Connections
The connections we were able to establish were in regards to the aspect of evolution, which in some way is connected to the proposals of all the names in this mindmap, such as with Nietzsche with the superman taking the lead and being the most enhanced individual, with Galton thinking about this selected/ faster evolution of the human species, with Dawkins regarding who specifically would be the one that would evolve and lastly with Herbert Spencer who idealized the social Darwinism and what traits of individuals in society are superior that would evolve.
Herbert Spencer's theory connects directly to Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Spencer's theory, known as Social Darwinism, was basically a misinterpretation of what was stated in the Theory of Evolution. He misunderstood what Darwin meant by survival of the fittest, and eventually created a new theory that explained and justified social inequalities, with no scientific background.
Another connection that can be established with the ideas of Herbert Spence would be with Galton and his proposal of eugenics where similarly to Spencer, eugenics would think that specific minorities would have inferior capacity compared to the Anglo Saxons.
Connections
Connections
Nitzsche is a very important figure in history, as he developed the well-known "Superman Theory." His theory has direct connections to Social Darwinism, that was introduced by Herbert Spencer, and consequently with the Theory of Evolution, introduced by Charles Darwin. When Darwin published his theory, people thought that God was "killed," that there was no more meaning in believing in his existence. Therefore, people needed to have someone to inspire them, and with that, Nitzsche came up with the idea of Supermans.
Connections that could be established with Galton would be with the ideas of Spencer where both of them had beliefs that minorities would not thrive although to Galton this could be seen as something that society knows and would force to remove these "bad" parts of society. A connection to Darwin could also be Drawn with the conception of those who are the best or most enhanced should survive.
Conections
Dawkins thoughts connect with Nitzsche's theory of the Superman. Within the Superman theory, a Superman had to have his own values, be very independent minded, be extremely selfish, prioritizing always himself and his beliefs and sometimes may kill individuals. And as stated previously, when Dawkin talks about the Selfish Gene, he states that people are naturally selfish and that this trait can only be changed if the individual has the will to do so. Therefore, Nitzsche's Supermen characteristics similar to Dawkins thoughts.
Additional sources not used in lesson:
What is evolution? (n.d.). Yourgenome.org. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-evolution#:~:text=Charles%20Darwin's%20theory%20of%20evolution,show%20var iation%20in%20physical%20characteristics.&text=As%20a%20consequence%20those%20ind ividuals,the%20species%20will%20gradually%20evolve.