Do you think that Social Darwinism is still practiced today as compared to its relevance in the time period of Of Mice and Men. That is, are the same standards of Social Darwinism during the time period of The Great Depression in America, consistent with those held today?
Resource below:
(..."only the fittest organisms will prevail" (a view sometimes derided as "Social Darwinism." wikipedia.com)
I believe that Social Darwinism, in one way on another, still in our society. Just that today the whole concept may be different than the one years ago. Social Darwinism is the believe that the strongest will survive. Back in the time of Great Depression, it was pretty obvious. If you had money, you have more possibilities of moving on. If you had no money, you will struggle. Not a lot of people survived the Great the Depression, but the one who did know how hard it was. Today it's less noticeable, but Social Darwinism still there. The reason why we don't notice as much is because now days we get distracted by so many things, that we don't even get a chance to think was going on outside our houses. We also have a new economy class, which make things a little bit better. Even when all of this, the world still see Social Darwinism. If we go out of the United States, we can clearly see this. In some continents, like Africa, where poverty is all around, we can see this. Only the rich and powerful survive. Nobody cares about the other poor people, who more sooner than later, die. Even here in the United States, we have Social Darwinism. If you take a walk trough the streets, you will see at least one homeless person. At the same time you will see a rich guy who was everything, and doesn't share. In conclusion, even when today we don't see Social Darwinism as much as in the time of Great Depression, it still there. There is always people who are going to struggle, and people who are going to get everything in the palm on their hand. That is the way the world works, and the way it will keep working
ReplyDeleteScary enough, "this is the way the world works and the way it will keep working." in other words, humans will always be out for survival and whatever can promise survival in a materialistic world, money, popularity, or goods or reputation, will, unfortunately be the necessities for "survival."
ReplyDeleteSo obviously the term "strongest" no refers to the one with the most money or power, unfortunately, which then blinds us from seeing a human's real attributes. But, Francis Galton explained Social Darwinism by claiming that "social institutions such as welfare and insane asylums were allowing inferior humans to survive and reproduce at levels faster than the more "superior" humans in respectable society, and if corrections were not soon taken, society would be awash with "inferiors." Obviously, he felt that there was no room for the weaker ones in our world and that, well, actions must be taken to "weed out" those . This is very controversial and yet unfair.. SO, ARE THE SAME STANDARDS OF SOCIAL DARWINISM PRESENT IN OUR VIEW TOWARD THOSE IN SOCIETY TODAY?? Hmmm?
ReplyDelete@Mrs Erdman: Maybe the whole concept of it have change through the time. The world change, and so do us. Maybe the standards of Social Darwinism aren't the same of a thousand years ago. Since now days the way the world have evolved had provided us way more that what we had before. But when we come to think "outside the box" our life still being ruled by this concept. Not in the same way it did before. Years back it was literally "kill to survive." Now days is more socialist. We may not notice, but we are always trying to be better than what we are. Always trying to be better than somebody else. Isn't that what Social Darwinism is about? Obviously our standards towards this concept had change, but they haven't completely disappear. Whether we noticed or not, we still fighting over being the best. We still fighting for being at the top of the mountain. We do anything to be better than everybody. We try to be better so we can have what other people don't. Isn't that surviving over the week?
ReplyDelete@ DFuentes..
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, and I agree with most of it. Although, a lot of things are based on the amount of money you have and status it's not everything. You kind of stereotyped the modern day "rich man." I don't agree with that because a lot of wealthy people give to others through charities, or helping schools, and a lot of other things. Not only the rich survive, few people make it to where they actually want to be, but they survive.
The issue of social Darwinism is still a factor during the 21st century. During the time period Of Mice and Men people with disabilities had a troubling time getting around. Although you did not have a disability no one wanted to be with a person who was lower in his or her standard. Therefore it was society eats either or society eats you. It is similar how social Darwinism is seen today compared to the great depression; it is obvious that it is not as vivid as it use to be. For example most people with disabilities like Lennie in Of Mice and Men would in today’s economy have benefits to help them. Where social Darwinism comes and affects in the business world; where the strong survive and the weak just get the crumbs.
ReplyDeleteSocial Darwinism today as compared to the time in age in the book Of Mice and Men is still, with a given, only slight, space of shrinkage or growth, is still the same. In the time setting of Steinbeck’s storyline, he makes it obvious that the man who is born into wealth is more likely to survive than the man who has to work, simultaneously, he shows through his writing that the strongest worker, in brains as well as bronze, is more likely to get the job which will help him to “survive” which for social Darwinism means that they will get further ahead than others.
ReplyDeleteWith today’s society, you can see these same qualities valued in the workroom. We have jobs for people who are more athletically built and who may have never had a chance in their classrooms, but at the same time, we have many high paying jobs that are made for only the brightest of minds. The person who is between both types of these being still may have a chance, but at the end of the day the highest paying careers search for the best in these fields.
Sadly, in comparison to the time setting of Of Mice and Men, survival of the “fittest” in both mind and strength is stunted by the fact that those in the wealthier part of society get exposed to opportunities sooner which keeps those who are better than them from getting the jobs. In America though, there is still the chance that the greater of the two will surpass the other, and that is Social Darwinism at work.
@JHillard I see what you mean. I perfectly understand what you say. Although I think you miss interpreted what I meant. I didn't say the the rich never share anything, or that all of them were bad people. I just say that in our society, rich people suffer less than those who have nothing. And your right, no because you are rich means you are the best or you are going to survive. Everybody can survive, but people who have the resources have more chances to do it.
ReplyDeleteYes social Darwinism still does exist and it can be seen in our own society today. The vehicle that delivers social Darwinism to society, then as it does today is education and economic conditions. I believe that social Darwinism is a force that no man can cause or defeat because of human nature. This is different than the forces of natural selection, which result from the environmental conditions, which cause different genetic expressions.
ReplyDeleteIn society the environmental condition is education and economic standing, and during the great depression when the story takes place. This form of Darwinism operates to separate the strong from the weak. It may then guide the strong to success or lead the weak to decline.
I think that social Darwinism as it exists today can be summarized in one word... College. If one does not attend a university it is likely that they will not be able to become successful in society. Although some exceptions are present this is a sad truth. Still today you are lucky and able to afford to attend a college you may be on the road to future success; however, this does not account for the human spirit and desire to succeed no matter what the obstacle. During the depression many could not afford or complete a primary education. The education factor is just as important then as it is today, and continues to be along with economic condition the driving force of social Darwinism
WoWWW!! I am speechless. Seriously, I do not believe I have any need to add to the brilliance that has been exemplified throughout this blog already.. Excellent. Impressive
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