Charles Darwin and ideology: Rethinking the Darwinian revolution

Authors

  • Janet Browne Harvard University (USA).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.7.7887

Keywords:

social Darwinism, Herbert Spencer, evolution, competition

Abstract

This short paper critiques the idea of any coherent Darwinian ideology. Charles Darwin himself did not adopt any obvious ideology, except perhaps that of anti-slavery. However, his published work, and that of other evolutionists, led to the emergence of social Darwinism. Herbert Spencer’s role in fostering social Darwinism, and the rise of eugenics, are briefly described. The connection, if any, between the historical figure of Darwin and the social movement that bears his name is discussed. While Darwin’s On the origin of species or The descent of man can hardly account for all the racial stereotyping, nationalism, or political bigotry seen in the half century after his death, there can be no denying the impact of his work in providing an authoritative biological backing for eugenics, colonial belligerence, and western notions of racial superiority.

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Author Biography

Janet Browne, Harvard University (USA).

Aramont Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University (USA) where she teaches the history of evolutionary theory and the life sciences. Her interests range widely over the natural history sciences. She is chair of the History of Science Department. Previously she taught at the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London and was an associate editor of the early volumes of The correspondence of Charles Darwin in Cambridge (UK).

References

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Published

2017-06-20

How to Cite

Browne, J. (2017). Charles Darwin and ideology: Rethinking the Darwinian revolution. Metode Science Studies Journal, (7), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.7.7887
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Issue

Unravelling science: Pulling the thread of knowledge (2017)

Section

Interference. The troubled relationship between science and ideology

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