What was Charles Darwin's attitude to Social Darwinism?

Darwin died in 1882. His cousin — Francis Galton — did not propose eugenics (the basic concept of Social Darwinism) until 1883. In the Name of Darwin Other evidence suggests the term was not used — as we think of it — until the 1890s. read more

Darwin died in 1882. His cousin — Francis Galton — did not propose eugenics (the basic concept of Social Darwinism) until 1883. In the Name of Darwin. Other evidence suggests the term was not used — as we think of it — until the 1890s. Social Darwinism - Wikipedia Therefore Darwin was not around to comment on it. read more

Despite the fact that Social Darwinism bears Charles Darwin's name, it is also linked today with others, notably Herbert Spencer, Thomas Malthus, and Francis Galton, the founder of eugenics. In fact, Spencer was not described as a social Darwinist until the 1930s, long after his death. read more

Social Darwinism is a term scholars use to describe the practice of misapplying the biological evolutionary language of Charles Darwin to politics, the economy, and society. Many Social Darwinists embraced laissez-faire capitalism and racism. read more