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This is an issue that has always concerned me and of which I have researched continuously. I speculate if I'm one of the only ones in the community that has a stance against the concept of applying natural selection to society. Now before we begin, please note that this is not a religious argument, despite the moral issues presented. I am quite nonreligious myself, although I do have complex scientific beliefs about God and the universe, and how they can be explained through ideas such as parallel universe theories, though that's best left for another discussion. Please leave well-thought out, logical responses, no "tl;dr" thank you very much.
People have always had these ideas, but it seems like I see it more and more these days. In fact, I've noted people who believe medicine, welfare, and the like are going against natural selection and hampering humanity, because we're allegedly supporting the weak and the poor who should've died off as a result of natural selection and in turn, "cleansed" the gene pool. Also generally included in the "weeding pool" are the mentally challenged or physically disabled.
I comprehend where these people are deriving their notions, but I abhor the emotionally neutral attitudes of people (though, this does not mean I abhor the people themselves - just their outlook) in favor of allowing natural selection to work in today's society. I've had depression on and off this year, and much of it can be attributed to the lachrymose outlook upon humanity. Even when people do stupid things and pay the price for it, I don't act scornful about it, or say "Darwin Award"! Now I acknowledge that texting while driving or urinating on electric fences aren't very bright things, but I'm not going around saying "He deserved to die." This is somewhat straying off the discussion however, as I'm more specifically focused on low-class individuals and those with genetic "disadvantages".
There's many reasons why I'm against allowing natural selection to take part in society as several desire. For starters, we're humans. We may biologically be a member of the Kingdom Animalia, but clearly we are more intelligent than the other animals, and know how to deal with the problems in society through reason and intellect, and at some point in the future people shouldn't have to despair over offering assistance to the people in need, when it becomes more and more convenient. We're not a hunting and gathering society anymore, hint hint. To partially quote Descartes, "Wise men are instructed by reason... ...the beasts, by nature." Natural selection is a component of nature. That doesn't mean I'm pointing fingers and calling proponents of social darwinism "beasts", - but the point Descartes makes is important to consider.
Emotional issues are also present, and I know people will say "To hell with emotion" - but remember, emotion is part of us as much as our mind, and governs our lives to equal degree. Now, let's imagine a family member of yours has a condition, say, a mental disability. (No offense intended to those who really do, for this is an example) If you are a person who believes natural selection should work freely in society, would not this person in your family be included? Do you have the heart to believe they should be eliminated? What if this person was, in fact, you? These are solemn questions every advocate of social darwinism should ask themselves.
The concept of Social Darwinism is also flawed in that it's highly flavored depending on the individual. A most infamous example is Hitler, who believed the white Germans were the superior race in humanity, and that everyone else was inferior, especially the Jews. Obviously, hardly anyone believes in his ideals today.
Also, there is enormous potential in humans that may not immediately display it, and one of the primary reasons why the idea applying natural selection in society is barbaric and replete with ignorance. Stephen Hawkings is bound to a wheelchair and must have a digitalized voice output speech; yet he is one of the brightest individuals on the face of the Earth that many undoubtedly look up to. There's also people who have done incredible things with yet even more incredible afflictions. As I mentioned earlier, we as humans evolved to reason and think beyond nature's grasp.
And simply put, people should have the right to lead enjoyable lives, without discrimination. I used to live across from a couple in a town-home apartment neighborhood; these people never attended college and rely purely upon the government for food, shelter, and the like. There was even one time where I had to help the man of the household to open an intricately secured container (what it was exactly escapes me). Yet, these people are extremely friendly and often begin some engaging conversations. They had a pleasant, happy aura around them. I suppose my case may be rare, but such cases do exist is the point.
IMO, slowing natural selection is a good thing, since it opens up potential for others to lead successful lives. Who am I to deny a man life when he may do great things one day? What is your position on this issue?
NOTE: Despite the issues presented above, I'm not against abortion, knowing that a woman should have the right to do what she wants with her own body.
People have always had these ideas, but it seems like I see it more and more these days. In fact, I've noted people who believe medicine, welfare, and the like are going against natural selection and hampering humanity, because we're allegedly supporting the weak and the poor who should've died off as a result of natural selection and in turn, "cleansed" the gene pool. Also generally included in the "weeding pool" are the mentally challenged or physically disabled.
I comprehend where these people are deriving their notions, but I abhor the emotionally neutral attitudes of people (though, this does not mean I abhor the people themselves - just their outlook) in favor of allowing natural selection to work in today's society. I've had depression on and off this year, and much of it can be attributed to the lachrymose outlook upon humanity. Even when people do stupid things and pay the price for it, I don't act scornful about it, or say "Darwin Award"! Now I acknowledge that texting while driving or urinating on electric fences aren't very bright things, but I'm not going around saying "He deserved to die." This is somewhat straying off the discussion however, as I'm more specifically focused on low-class individuals and those with genetic "disadvantages".
There's many reasons why I'm against allowing natural selection to take part in society as several desire. For starters, we're humans. We may biologically be a member of the Kingdom Animalia, but clearly we are more intelligent than the other animals, and know how to deal with the problems in society through reason and intellect, and at some point in the future people shouldn't have to despair over offering assistance to the people in need, when it becomes more and more convenient. We're not a hunting and gathering society anymore, hint hint. To partially quote Descartes, "Wise men are instructed by reason... ...the beasts, by nature." Natural selection is a component of nature. That doesn't mean I'm pointing fingers and calling proponents of social darwinism "beasts", - but the point Descartes makes is important to consider.
Emotional issues are also present, and I know people will say "To hell with emotion" - but remember, emotion is part of us as much as our mind, and governs our lives to equal degree. Now, let's imagine a family member of yours has a condition, say, a mental disability. (No offense intended to those who really do, for this is an example) If you are a person who believes natural selection should work freely in society, would not this person in your family be included? Do you have the heart to believe they should be eliminated? What if this person was, in fact, you? These are solemn questions every advocate of social darwinism should ask themselves.
The concept of Social Darwinism is also flawed in that it's highly flavored depending on the individual. A most infamous example is Hitler, who believed the white Germans were the superior race in humanity, and that everyone else was inferior, especially the Jews. Obviously, hardly anyone believes in his ideals today.
Also, there is enormous potential in humans that may not immediately display it, and one of the primary reasons why the idea applying natural selection in society is barbaric and replete with ignorance. Stephen Hawkings is bound to a wheelchair and must have a digitalized voice output speech; yet he is one of the brightest individuals on the face of the Earth that many undoubtedly look up to. There's also people who have done incredible things with yet even more incredible afflictions. As I mentioned earlier, we as humans evolved to reason and think beyond nature's grasp.
And simply put, people should have the right to lead enjoyable lives, without discrimination. I used to live across from a couple in a town-home apartment neighborhood; these people never attended college and rely purely upon the government for food, shelter, and the like. There was even one time where I had to help the man of the household to open an intricately secured container (what it was exactly escapes me). Yet, these people are extremely friendly and often begin some engaging conversations. They had a pleasant, happy aura around them. I suppose my case may be rare, but such cases do exist is the point.
IMO, slowing natural selection is a good thing, since it opens up potential for others to lead successful lives. Who am I to deny a man life when he may do great things one day? What is your position on this issue?
NOTE: Despite the issues presented above, I'm not against abortion, knowing that a woman should have the right to do what she wants with her own body.
Edited by EmeraldTiger at 19:36 CDT, 10 March 2015 - 4268 Hits
