Re: Signs of Scientism

Ted Davis wrote:

>>>>Mervin Bitikofer <mrb22667@kansas.net> 01/22/06 10:30 PM >>>asks:
>>>>
>>>>
>Herbert Spencer coined the term "survival of the fittest" didn't he?
>Didn't Spencer's ideas actually predate some of Darwin's -- or at least
>his publication? Sorry if this was all recently hashed and I missed or
>forgot it. But social darwinism fascinates me even if in some morbid
>sort of way.
>
>Ted responds:
>Yes, Spencer coined the term, which Darwin then employed in later editions
>of the Origin of Species (but not the first edition). We can fairly assume
>that Darwin regarded it as a fair summary of his idea of natural selection.
>
>D himself was both more of a social Darwinist than is sometimes said (see,
>e.g., Peter Bowler's downplaying of this in "Charles Darwin--The Man and His
>Influence") and less than is sometimes said (see Michael Roberts' comments
>on Richard Weikart's book a year or two ago). He realized that evolution
>might have implications for social policy (and thus he was worried about
>sending the best and brightest off to war), and at the same time he accepted
>some conclusions of morality that go against selection (such as his
>acceptance of vaccination for his own children, despite his expressed
>realization that vaccination counters natural selection).
>
>Ted
>
>
>
So how do you respond to the charge that evolutionary wisdom (seems?)
(is?) so contrary to the notion of Christian charity? Nature targets
the weak, decrepit, and crippled with a cruel and indifferent eye, and
yet we are called to be part of an "upside-down" kingdom where such
disadvantaged as these are the especially valued brothers and sisters --
the "least of these, my brethren".

The notion of how vaccination fits into this is fascinating also -- and
overlaps with a previous thread, though I don't remember if we discussed
these implications in that thread.

--merv
Received on Tue Jan 24 05:28:19 2006