1. “The growth of large business is merely a survival of the fittest.”
Social Darwinism:
Philosophy OR Justification?
“The growth of large business is merely a survival of the fittest.”
-John D. Rockefeller

2. Charles Darwin 1859 published a book titled The Origin of Species
Theory of Evolution
Natural Selection.
Struggle is normal.
Some are superior.
There are benefits when the unfit are eliminated.

3. 1971 – English Philosopher who coins phrase “Social Darwinism”
Herbert Spencer
1971 – English Philosopher who coins phrase “Social Darwinism”

4. What is Social Darwinism?
Social Darwinism is:
- individuals compete naturally
- the weak always lose and the strong always win. “survival of the fittest”.
-can apply to
-business owners (Captains of Industry vs Robber Barons)
-competing countries (Imperialism)
Government must not interfere unless the unfit are stealing from the fit.

5. Government or No Government?
Should the Government interfere with Business????
-By 1880 many Social Darwinists
were saying “NO”?!?!?
Others wanted the Government to get more involved in promoting Social Darwinism and Laissez-faire.

6. Social Darwinism and Business
Natural Competition controls the economy.
Government is not there to help people, but to support business.
Big business can take over small business.
Ruthless methods are OK.

7. Social Darwinism and Race
Only the strong races can survive.
Technology should be kept by races that create advancement.
Justification for genocide.

8. America’s Reaction “Self-made man” concept built the country.
“Rugged Individualism” is good.
Wealth is the reward for hard work and ability.
Failure is due to lack of ability and laziness.

9. Is this right? Do you agree?

10. The Social Darwinists
Andrew Carnegie
T. Roosevelt Sr.
C. Vanderbilt

11. What comes of Social Darwinism?
Philanthropy: using one’s fortune to further social progress.
Focused efforts and energies on all individuals.
Expands the gap between the rich and the poor.

12. Social Darwinism and War
The leaders of Europe on the eve of World War I were mislead by the Social Darwinist dogma. They thought that war was a biological necessity.
We needed WW I to prove who will dominate.
And every nation wanted to prove it was the “fittest”

13. Social Darwinism Good or Bad?
Is this a practical theory?
What are the benefits of weeding out the weak?
What are the disadvantages of having the rich in control?
Is there really a chance for poor people to get ahead?

14. Quotable Quotes
The growth of the large business is merely the survival of the fittest, the working out of nature and a law of God- JD Rockefeller Jr.
The time has come to do away with needless waste- JD Rockefeller
Competition: we cannot evade it. And while the law may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest.-A. Carnegie

15. Quotable Quotes
A man who accumulates great wealth has a duty to use his surplus wealth for the improvement of mankind in philanthropic causes- A. Carnegie
A man who dies rich dies disgraced- A. Carnegie

16. Eugenics: Social Darwinism too far?
Improvement of the human race through genetic means is called eugenics. The word eugenics comes from a Greek word that means “wellborn.”
Supporters of eugenics seek to change the human race through artificial selection
The controlled breeding of people who have certain physical characteristics or mental abilities.
Natural jump from social Darwinism
If we celebrate natural selection, then lets speed up the process
This occurred in North Carolina starting in 1919 and led to the sterilization of over 8000 people who were deemed “burdens on society”
Included prison inmates, mentally/physically challenged, and people on welfare