Difference between revisions of "Survival of the fittest"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(Gandhi on Survival of the fittest) |
(improved) |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | '''Survival of the fittest''' is a famous phrase coined by British economist [[Herbert Spencer]] in ''Principles of Biology'' (1864), used to summarize [[natural selection]]. He | + | '''Survival of the fittest''' is a famous phrase coined by British economist [[Herbert Spencer]] in ''Principles of Biology'' (1864), used to summarize [[natural selection]]. He relied the phrase to reinforce his theories on the development of companies and societies in general. |
The phrase went on to influence ideas such as [[Social Darwinism]] and [[fascism]]. | The phrase went on to influence ideas such as [[Social Darwinism]] and [[fascism]]. | ||
| − | Modern biologists tend not to use the phrase because it reduces to an informal [[tautology]] | + | Modern biologists tend not to use the phrase for two reasons. First, it is nonsensical because it reduces to an informal [[tautology]] as one defines "fittest" to mean possessing attributes conducive to survival. Second, it is disfavored by [[liberals]] who view it as [[politically incorrect]]. |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 16:43, May 30, 2019
| Fallacious maxims |
|---|
| "But from the present civilization, or, rather, from Western civilization, there flow two propositions which have almost become maxims to live by — I call them fallacious maxims. They are “might is right” and “survival of the fittest”." |
Survival of the fittest is a famous phrase coined by British economist Herbert Spencer in Principles of Biology (1864), used to summarize natural selection. He relied the phrase to reinforce his theories on the development of companies and societies in general.
The phrase went on to influence ideas such as Social Darwinism and fascism.
Modern biologists tend not to use the phrase for two reasons. First, it is nonsensical because it reduces to an informal tautology as one defines "fittest" to mean possessing attributes conducive to survival. Second, it is disfavored by liberals who view it as politically incorrect.
References
- ↑ Mahatma Gandhi (1968). in Shriman Narayan: The Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi: The voice of truth. Navajivan Publishing House, 278.