Difference between revisions of "Survival of the fittest"
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'''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 went on to use the phrase to reinforce his theories on the development of companies and societies in general. | '''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 went on to use the phrase to reinforce his theories on the development of companies and societies in general. | ||
| − | The phrase went on to | + | 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]] if one defines "fittest" to mean possessing attributes conducive to survival. | Modern biologists tend not to use the phrase because it reduces to an informal [[tautology]] if one defines "fittest" to mean possessing attributes conducive to survival. | ||
[[category:evolution]] | [[category:evolution]] | ||
Revision as of 21:01, June 26, 2011
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 went on to use 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 because it reduces to an informal tautology if one defines "fittest" to mean possessing attributes conducive to survival.