Recall Herbert Spencer and his theory of social
Darwinism. As part of this theory, Spencer coined the
term "survival of the fittest." The phrase reflects the
idea that only the strongest within a species survive
over time. Spencer and others like him used this idea
to justify the dominance of the powerful over the
weak.
Do you still hear people who proclaim that life for
humans is about the "survival of the fittest"? Do you
think that such ideas of social Darwinism are still
part of our culture today?
Use the Notebook tool (G) to write a paragraph with
specific examples of how you still see this attitude
reflected in today's world. Or, write about an
example of how our society does not support these
beliefs and instead supports equality and the rights
of all people.
