The Modern Interpretation of the Idea of Darwin - Essay Example

The modern interpretation of Darwin’s idea, “The Survival of the Fittest” Charles Darwin’s theory, “The Theory of Species” has prominence even in themodern age as it is involved with man and his birth on the earth. His idea, ‘The Survival of the Fittest’ is much discussed equally among the intellectuals as well as among ordinary people. The new interpretation of the theory can be seen in various parts of the world in various sectors like political, economical, social and even in the day-to-day life of individuals. By ‘Survival of the Fittest’, what Darwin meant was: “The individuals who best adapt to the environment are the ones who will most likely survive. They possess variations that give them a selective advantage.” (Rae, 1997). Darwin formed this new theory when he talked about the “natural selection” with regard to the plants. He meant that the individuals who are capable to familiarize with the situation can exist on the world as they are possessing variations or individual difference with others. When Darwin formed the theory, by the word ‘fittest’ Darwin actually meant the supreme power one possesses in one’s life. It was the ‘Rule of the Thumb’ which would enable one to fight against others and confirm his stand among them. Long through the years Darwin’s theory has interpreted in various ways as to suit the modern man to acquire the necessities of life and to get dominance over others in order to satisfy his greed. Darwin’s theory was not fully focused on men but on plants which made the subject of his study during his long sea voyage which lasted for nearly five years. Most of the historians are of the opinion that Europe and the United States are the root cause for “the rise of the West” in various ways and the Europeans exerted their superiority to the rest of the world. It may be because of “better genetics, a more favourable climate, classical historical traditions, Protestant religious heritage, marriage patterns, market economics, or the limited role of the state, among other things.” (Brenner & Marks, 2007, x). Europe and U.S. wielded their power not only in western region but also in Eastern regions like India, China and Japan. It shows that they had the supremacy not only in Europe but also in Asia’s cultural, economical, and political levels. If one analyses the state of modern world, it is seen that the modern world is historically dependent because of its creation and dominance by West Europeans. Though the western dominance was inevitable, it is to be noted that they had tremendous influence over Asia and in the modern world and the same caused for the interdependence. One cannot assert that it was the only reason for the complete changes of modern world, but many other factors also have played their own roles in the creation of the modern world. Most of the studies conducted in the world show that just 200 years ago two third of wealth was possessed by two Asian countries- India and China. But after 200 years things reversed and the Westerners and Japan are in the forefront. It confirms Darwin’s theory “The Survival of the Fittest”. Other thing that confirms the theory is that when there is supremacy of West, the gap between the rich and the poor also widened and the poorest people located in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Another reason for the dominance of the West was influenced with the ideals French Revolution- equality, liberty and fraternity, which tempted people to have rationalistic bent toward understanding the natural world in scientific, not religious terms. An observation will reveal the relationship between Darwinism and capitalist economic theory. Generally it is viewed that Adam Smith’s “invisible hand of the marketplace” was influenced by Darwin’s theory and most of the economists like Adam Smith and Thomas Malthus adopted Darwin’s ideologies to explain various economic principles. It is the survival of the fittest that leads the market and Smith called this factor as “invisible hand of the marketplace”. Economists have formed theories about population and resource growth on the basis of Darwin’s theory. Darwin’s theory of natural growth has had deep impact among the economic theoreticians. Even the barons of raw capitalism in the United States used, or interpreted in their own way, Darwinian theory to justify their own deeds of hoarding money by fooling the workers. Their supremacy over the poor peasants was by following the principle, “The Survival of the Fittest.” Interpretation of Darwinian Theory can be seen in political field where many politicians, including several American presidents have used the Darwinian principles while justifying their actions of overruling the poorest or the weak countries. Most colonial powers justify their colonization in terms of Darwinian ideology and claimed that it is their right to show the supremacy over other countries. Many examples can be cited out from different parts of the world for this kind of treatment. The same thing happened in the European conquest of Asian countries like India, China and Japan and the British dominance in its various colonies all over the world. Darwin’s theory has been used to support racism, sexism and for other –ism. Different religions try to get the superiority over other religions through forcible manner by boosting their religion and religious views. This superiority sometimes leads to violence and crimes and even to fanaticism. Sexism is the other outcome or interpretation of the Darwinian ideology of supremacy. Sexual supremacy is generally found in males as they tend to suppress the female counterparts by making use of their physical power. They restrict the freedom of females to show the male chauvinism. To conclude, one can infer that Darwinism or the various ideologies of Darwin has exerted its tremendous influence in many fields and a new version of his “Survival of the Fittest” is seen in almost all spheres of modern world. The modern interpretation of the theory is prominent in political field as well as in the dominance of the different countries. These countries use their power to defeat or to bring the weaker countries under their control. Another application of the theory can be found out in the economic field where most economists adopt Darwin’s theories to substantiate their arguments. To speak of the market and the supremacy in the market, they accept Darwin’s concept as a supporting point to justify their arguments. The same “Survival of the Fittest” is there in the attitude of different religions each other and very often it leads to racism or to fanaticism. Sexism is the other thing that shows supremacy of male folk or the survival of the fittest. It is remarkable with the defence of female folk against this injustice. When reaching the conclusion, it is seen that the modern interpretation of Darwin’s theory deals with the supreme power which is shown in all the spheres of modern life and it paves the way for various issues and problems. References Rae, Jake. (1997). Darwin’s theory of evolution: Survival of the fittest. Think Quest. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from http://library.thinkquest.org/11847/gather/15b.html Brenner, Abigail., & Marks, Robert. (2007). The origins of the modern world: Fate and fortune in the rise of the west. Rowman & Littlefield, x. Read More