Changes

Beginning in 1887, social [[scientists]] were using the term "social Darwinism" to apply the [[survival of the fittest]] theory to social situations.  Under this theory, the wealthiest or most powerful in society must be [[biologically]] superior, and less "fit" persons should die.   

Beginning in 1887, social [[scientists]] were using the term "social Darwinism" to apply the [[survival of the fittest]] theory to social situations.  Under this theory, the wealthiest or most powerful in society must be [[biologically]] superior, and less "fit" persons should die.   

{{quotebox|Proponents of this particular form of ‘social Darwinism’, such as [[Herbert Spencer]], taught that the powerful and wealthy were this way because they were biologically and evolutionally superior to the struggling masses. They believed that we should therefore do nothing to help improve the working and living conditions of the lesser evolved masses. Charities were clearly evil in helping sustain the lives of those who otherwise would and should die in the natural selection process. In other words, the weak were to do their duty and die while the fittest survived, which would one day lead to an evolutionarily super society and race. [http://www.creationinthecrossfire.com/Articles/OriginofSpecies.html] }}

{{quotebox-float|Proponents of this particular form of ‘social Darwinism’, such as [[Herbert Spencer]], taught that the powerful and wealthy were this way because they were biologically and evolutionally superior to the struggling masses. They believed that we should therefore do nothing to help improve the working and living conditions of the lesser evolved masses. Charities were clearly evil in helping sustain the lives of those who otherwise would and should die in the natural selection process. In other words, the weak were to do their duty and die while the fittest survived, which would one day lead to an evolutionarily super society and race. [http://www.creationinthecrossfire.com/Articles/OriginofSpecies.html] }}

Soon many began to view [[racial]] struggles, and [[war]] itself, as a perfectly natural example of survival-of-the-fittest in the human race.  The horrific wars of the 20th century, employing shockingly brutal tactics, were encouraged by a belief in survival-of-the-fittest among humans.  While social Darwinism itself was applied to social and economic situations rather than military ones, it is easy how extreme versions of social Darwinism could justify physical struggles among races.

Soon many began to view [[racial]] struggles, and [[war]] itself, as a perfectly natural example of survival-of-the-fittest in the human race.  The horrific wars of the 20th century, employing shockingly brutal tactics, were encouraged by a belief in survival-of-the-fittest among humans.  While social Darwinism itself was applied to social and economic situations rather than military ones, it is easy how extreme versions of social Darwinism could justify physical struggles among races.

Oppenheimer also writes that James Randi, chair of annual atheist gathering The Amaz!ng Meeting (TAM), used biological essentialism to rationalize alleged sex crimes and sexual harassment. Randi’s comments were in response to accusations made by multiple women against Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic magazine. “[Shermer] had a bit too much to drink and he doesn’t remember. I don’t know,” Randi muses. “I’ve just heard that he misbehaved himself with the women, which I guess is what men do when they are drunk.”<ref>[https://qz.com/613270/brazen-sexism-is-pushing-women-out-of-americas-atheism-movement/ ''Brazen sexism is pushing women out of America’s atheism movement'']</ref>}}

Oppenheimer also writes that James Randi, chair of annual atheist gathering The Amaz!ng Meeting (TAM), used biological essentialism to rationalize alleged sex crimes and sexual harassment. Randi’s comments were in response to accusations made by multiple women against Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic magazine. “[Shermer] had a bit too much to drink and he doesn’t remember. I don’t know,” Randi muses. “I’ve just heard that he misbehaved himself with the women, which I guess is what men do when they are drunk.”<ref>[https://qz.com/613270/brazen-sexism-is-pushing-women-out-of-americas-atheism-movement/ ''Brazen sexism is pushing women out of America’s atheism movement'']</ref>}}

==References==

==References==