Social Darwinism: Linking Evolutionary Thought to Social TheorySocial Darwinism is the extension of Darwin's evolutionary ideas to human society. Over the past two centuries it has been argued that the fittest in terms of physical and mental prowess are most likely to survive and reproduce. It has also been suggested that the increasingly complex structure of human society mirrors the increasing complexity of nature. This highly original text examines whether these extensions from nature to society are justified, and considers how dangerous they may be in implying the systematic neglect - or even destruction - of the least fit. It asks what, in any case, is fitness as applied to human beings? It also questions whether human nature is constrained by modern society and whether people evolved as essentially competitive or collaborative. Written in a clear and accessible style, with text boxes to explain key ideas and little or no biological knowledge required of the reader, this book suggests a new way in which evolutionary thought and social theory can be combined |
Contents
Evolutionary Thought in Contemporary Sociology | 31 |
NatureCulture Dualism and Beyond | 48 |
The Bell Curve | 63 |
Copyright | |
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Social Darwinism: Linking Evolutionary Thought to Social Theory Peter Dickens No preview available - 2000 |
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abstract adapt analogies argued argument become behaviour Bell Curve Bookchin brain capacities capitalism central characteristics cognitive cognitive elite complex contemporary context cultural debate differentiation direction distinct dominant dualism early ecological economic egalitarian entails environment environmental Erdal and Whiten evol evolutionary economics evolutionary thought evolved example forms of social Furthermore genes genetically inherited hand Herbert Spencer Herrnstein and Murray human nature human society hunter-gatherer ideas implication important increasing increasingly individuals intelligence interaction IQ levels kind knowledge later Machiavellian intelligence Marx Maryanski and Turner memes memetics ment mental modern society natural selection notion organism Origin of Species Parsons particular perhaps physical Piaget political potential predispositions problems progress race realized recent remain reproduce seen Selfish Gene sense social change social Darwinism social evolution social relations social system social theory social thought species Spencer stage structure suggests survival teleology thinking tion understanding ution