Liberal Arts Studies - Essay Example

Darwin and St. Benedict The “survival of the fittest” concept contributes significantly to who is and who will be successful in a career. Everyone is basically trying to survive and make as much money as they possibly can. Those who are the most successful gain the ultimate prize, which is financial stability as well as the satisfaction of being regarded as a professional. In this sense, modern society is no different from the animal kingdom because we are all competing and struggling to obtain not only things like food and shelter, but other things like wealth, fame, power, honor, and respect.

So, although the modern world sees itself as quite civilized, it could easily be seen as just as savage as the animal world. It is reasonable to see corporations and communities as benefiting from the struggle and competition that Darwin saw in the animal world and applied to humans as well. With a new job opening, for example, candidates will be determined as qualified or unqualified. The qualified applicants will get the interview for the chance to prove that they are up to the task and capable of doing what is required.

Ideally, the best (or strongest) candidate based on the job description will be hired for the job. However, in the business world this is not always the case. Often the person hiring for the job will hire someone based on their personality or if they know them personally. So the most qualified or strongest applicant often does not get the job. However, ideally, a smart business person would hire the strongest and best qualified candidate. In modern society, certain jobs have been reduced or even eliminated.

With the growth of technology, many professions were reduced in number while new professions were created. There are numerous examples of people who are professionals making a lot of money who are laid off and find themselves out of work and unable to get another job. Darwin would say that this is also survival of the fittest because the strongest people will always find a way to adapt and find another well-paying job or career if they need to. The order of Benedict’s rule is appealing because it is much more stable than the current professional environment.

One could see how the survival of the fittest reality of the world is often viewed as unjust and unfair and how an ordered system like Benedict’s could clear up some of the chaos as well as the immorality that exists in our constantly changing world. References Benedict, St. (530). The Rule of St. Benedict. Darwin, C. (1859). The Origin of Species.