Discuss Herbert Spencer's "Survival of the Fittest" Theory

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is British social theorist Herbert Spencer's major contribution to sociology was an evolutionary perspective on social order and social change. According to Spencer's Theory of General Evolution, society has various interdependent parts (such as the family, the economy, and the government) that work to ensure the stability and survival of the entire society. Spencer believed that societies developed through a process of "struggle" (for existence) and "fitness" (for survival), which he referred to as the "survival of the fittest." Spencer's view of society is known as social Darwinism-the belief that those species of animals, including human beings, best adapted to their environment survive and prosper, whereas those poorly adapted die out. Spencer equated this process of natural selection with progress, because only the "fittest" members of society would survive the competition, and the "unfit" would be filtered out of society. Critics say that he looked at society as the same as a biological system. Also, his idea of survival of the fittest can be used to justify different kinds of inequalities.

Discuss Herbert Spencer's "Survival of the Fittest" Theory

Essay

Correct Answer:
Verified

Discuss Herbert Spencer's "Survival of the Fittest" Theory

Essay

Correct Answer:VerifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer:
Verified