Social Darwinism - Assignment Example

SCIENCE AND BUSINESS Science and Business Q Social Darwinism Social Darwinism is a concept derived from Charles Darwin’s biological theory of survival for the fittest and natural selection. The term emerged in Europe in the 19th century to apply Darwinian concepts in social and political aspects of the society. Social Darwinism, therefore, means that the strong people will survive while the weaker human beings will diminish and become extinct. Strength and weakness are viewed in terms of power and wealth. Stronger people will see their power and wealth increase while the weak will see their wealth and power diminish. Social Darwinism became very popular in Europe in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s and was widely accepted among European leaders, scholars, and scientists. This is because the Social Darwinism promoted superiority of the white race, capitalism and imperialism (Bowler and Morus, 2010, pp. 328). They found the theory attractive because it affirmed their thoughts about other races such as the Africans, Caucasians, and Asians, who were regarded as inferior races. Social Darwinism promoted capitalism by implying that the wealthier were more suited to increase their wealth while the poor people were justified in remaining poor through a capitalist economy. Social Darwinism was also attractive to European leaders because it promoted imperialism and justified colonization of races considered inferior (Bowler and Morus, 2010, pp. 341). Q 2: Figure 18.4 in Ch 18 in Bowler And Morus This image elicits many deep emotions about racial relations between the Whites and Blacks. The image seems to perpetrate the idea that Whites are more superior to blacks and other races in general, in terms of brain development and thinking capacity (Bowler and Morus, 2010, pp. 297). This is indeed a pity because of lack of scientific evidence to backup- such stereotypic thinking that was popular in the 19th century based on Social Darwinism. I was irritated upon looking at the image for the first time because I know of black people who are superior to whites in terms of their reasoning ability. It is shocking that scientists can determine superiority by looking at ones facial shape and assessing their brain development. I am strongly opposed to the ideas and intentions of the image because it is a complete disrespect to other races by linking them to apes to imply that they are not yet at the same level of human development as the whites. It is, however, understandable that the image was drawn at a time when racial stereotypes and ideas of social Darwinism were prevalent in the 19th century across Europe. Such images, however, have no place in the contemporary society. Q 3: Zimbardo TED talk: The Lucifer Effect According to Philip Zimbardo, there are certain situational forces that can change an individual from being good to become bad (Zimbardo, 2008). These situational forces can cause one to become very cruel and do certain unimaginable cruel things to others. According to Zimbardo, these situational forces are evil in nature and cause one to be drawn towards evil (Zimbardo, 2008). This TED talk was inspired by his research work published in his book ‘The Lucifer Effect. According to The Zimbardo, the Lucifer effect results from the fact that Lucifer was a good angel who revolted against God and became a bad angel. The same effect happens to people who change from good to engage in evil deeds. Dr. Zimbardo affirms that people change from good to bad due to various factors in their environment such as their cultural background, and the legal, political and socioeconomic system in place (Zimbardo, 2008). I agree with Dr. Zimbardo’s views on the Lucifer effect. It’s true that certain situational forces such as environmental issues coming from the system in place can affect one’s psychology and change from being good to acting devilish. The American soldiers for instance, who are generally good, started acting badly due to the misgivings emerging from the system. Q 4: Response To Hitler’s View On Preserving Race Hitler’s’ views on eugenics and race represents an extreme view on racial relations. He justified his racist approach by using eugenics to promote the idea that the Germans were a pure race that need to be preserved while the other races and people with undesirable traits such as homosexuality deserved to be eradicated from German (Burleigh, 2001, pp. 279)). He, therefore, engaged in various weird programs such as sterilization and killing people through the Action T4 program (Burleigh, 2001, pp. 276). His view on eugenics was also the basis of the infamous holocaust that was aimed at eradicating the Jewish race. It was very unfortunate that Hitler took the popular views of Social Darwinism at the time to the extreme and relating such view with eugenics in order to justify his desire to eliminate other races considered undesirable (Burleigh, 2001, pp. 354). From an intellectual point of view, eugenics is a scientific view that it is possible to improve the genetic quality of human beings through discouraging reproduction among people with undesirable genetic traits while encouraging reproduction among people with desirable genetic traits. Eugenics should only be used to control inheritable genetic traits and qualities. In Hitler’s case, there is little or no evidence to suggest that the people he was eliminating had undesirable inheritable genetic traits. Eugenics should also not be under the control of the government, but it is a matter of families, parents and doctors. From an intellectual point of view, Hitler’s approach is to a large extent unjustified. The fact that a leader can use science to propagate evil arouses several negative emotions. Hitler’s actions showcase the very inhuman nature of human beings. It cannot be justified that one can use any scientific theory to kill or mistreat other people. It is saddening that Hitler thought that his race was superior to others and that it was a great idea to maintain purity of his race through eliminating others. Q 5: Himmler And Christianity Himmler was a key leader in the Nazi regime having risen to the highest ranks in the Army. He is among the German leaders that were directly responsible for the torture that was prevalent during the Nazi Rule in the German Concentration camps (Longerich, Noakes, & Sharpe, 2012, pp. 313). Having been born and raised a Christian of the Catholic faith, Himmler remained a staunch Christian until 1924 when he renounced his catholic and Christian faith (Longerich, Noakes, & Sharpe, 2012, pp. 361). He endeavored to study occults and German traditional myths and later became a pagan. He was at the center of the Nazi oppression towards Christianity and played a strong role in developing the Nazi anti-Christian policy. Himmler became increasingly preoccupied with occult beliefs in his later years and started believing in traditional Teutonic and German beliefs such as the superiority of the German race (Longerich, Noakes, & Sharpe, 2012, pp. 373). He became a central figure in the anti-Christian movement, which saw Christianity as a foreign concept undermining traditional myths, beliefs and superstitions. Christians in German were opposed to his ‘demographic revolution’ move to purify the German race. This is the main reason why he objected to Christianity and wanted to replace Christianity with his German prejudice and mythical beliefs. Bibliography Bowler, P. J. and Morus, I. R. (2010). Making Modern Science: A Historical Survey.Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Burleigh, M. (2001). The Third Reich: a new history. London, Pan. Longerich, P., Noakes, J., & Sharpe, L. (2012). Heinrich Himmler. Oxford [England], Oxford University Press. Zimbardo P. (2008). The Psychology of Evil. TED. Online. Available at http://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_on_the_psychology_of_evil Read More