Natural Selection

Definition

Natural selection is a biological process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This concept is critical for understanding evolution and has far-reaching implications in society, especially during the Industrial Age, where it intersects with ideas about progress, social structures, and economic practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural selection was first articulated by Charles Darwin in his work 'On the Origin of Species' published in 1859, fundamentally changing the understanding of biology.
2. In the context of the Industrial Age, natural selection prompted discussions around human evolution and societal progress, influencing various fields including sociology and economics.
3. The theory challenged traditional views on creation and human existence, leading to conflicts between science and religion during this period.
4. Natural selection also provided a framework for understanding industrialization's impact on human populations, as urban environments created new challenges for survival and adaptation.
5. Critics of natural selection often point out how it has been misused to support harmful ideologies like racism and imperialism under the guise of Social Darwinism.

Review Questions

• How did natural selection influence societal views during the Industrial Age?
  • Natural selection influenced societal views during the Industrial Age by introducing a scientific framework for understanding human development and societal progress. It shifted perspectives on human capabilities and social hierarchies, leading some to believe that those who thrived in rapidly changing industrial environments were inherently superior. This resulted in a mix of advancement in scientific thought while also feeding into social ideologies that justified inequality.
• Discuss the implications of applying natural selection to social issues during the Industrial Age.
  • Applying natural selection to social issues during the Industrial Age led to the emergence of Social Darwinism, which argued that competition among humans was a natural process. This ideology was often used to rationalize imperialism, colonialism, and economic inequalities by suggesting that stronger nations or individuals were naturally entitled to dominate weaker ones. The consequences of this application had profound impacts on policy-making and societal attitudes towards poverty, race, and class.
• Evaluate the relationship between natural selection and technological advancements during the Industrial Age.
  • The relationship between natural selection and technological advancements during the Industrial Age reflects a paradox where human innovation both aided survival while simultaneously challenging natural processes. As technologies advanced, they altered environments in ways that affected survival rates, leading to new social dynamics. For instance, urbanization created conditions where certain traits became less advantageous due to changes in lifestyle. This interplay suggests that while technology can enhance survival through improved living conditions, it also complicates traditional notions of adaptation as humans modify their environments at an unprecedented rate.

Related terms

Evolution: The process through which species change over time due to genetic variation and environmental pressures.

Survival of the Fittest: A phrase often associated with natural selection, suggesting that individuals or species that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Social Darwinism:

A theory that applies the concept of natural selection to social, political, and economic issues, often used to justify inequality and imperialism.