A Comparison between Evolution and Capitalism

[ck4829]

These two things actually follow the same principle.

'Survival of the Fittest'. Anyone who does not believe Evolution and Capitalism both share this same idea should take a course in basic Biology or Business Management.

I just find it funny that the Regressives in Congress and the Christian Right can be so opposed to Biological Darwinism (Evolution), but then they turn around and support Social Darwinism (Capitalism).

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Todays capitalism is Crony Capitalism and the "revolving door"

which are far from "survival of the fittest" (i.e. free-market capitalism). It's rigging the system.

[Birthmark]

2. Evolution is not "survival of the fittest"

Survival of the fittest is best exemplified by a riot.

[ck4829]

5. That's how I learned it.

Being the 'fittest' when it comes to being an animal means it has the best traits available so it can reproduce and eventually the new traits will result in evolution.

But, I grew up in Ohio, the place where they have been trying to teach (un)intelligent design for years.

[prodigal_green]

6. Fittest means

those that are able to reproduce. It has nothing to do with being aggressive or physically stronger.

[starroute]

11. Evolution works on communities, not on individuals

It does you no good to be the "fittest" member of your species if you're the last survivor of a disaster that kills all the others. It does no good to be a superior predator if you eliminate all your prey and starve to death.

Communities have evolutionary values of their own -- such as diversity or an ability for mutual cooperation and support. An ability to work harmoniously with other communities and with the larger environment is also important.

Darwinian evolution and capitalism grew out of the same mid-19th century mindset, which saw the world in terms of a war of all against all. Both are equally incompatible with the way things really work.

[ooglymoogly]

12. fanatical religiosity based on a god invented in the image of man

is a dead end in the evolution of man...a deluded civilization is a dying civilization.....so perhaps it is a self fulfilling profecy... "the end is near"..this admin is much scarier than you think.

[laheina]

3. Capitalism

The social regressives are the ones that coined the term "social darwinism" because they were trying to make excuses for their shitty economic viewpoints/practices. To be honest, this view is rationalism (the bad kind) at its best, and really cannot be connected to evolution, which is a scientific theory. Evolution as a theory, cannot really be applied to social situations for which was not intended.

Lastly, I don't believe that Darwin actually ever said "survival of the fittest."

[uberotto]

4. In theory you are correct, however...

In practice, Capitalism follows more along the lines as Creationism. In other words, companies are successful not because they are the best at what they do, but because they received "outside" intervention (i.e. Government help).

Case in point: Microsoft. Not the best OS, not the cheapest OS but has the largest user base. Why? Because the Government has chosen to look the other way when Microsoft operates outside the law. Microsoft has gotten where they are by being good enough to survive, and also given a "little help" by a benevolent government.

Now if Microsoft's competetors were also allowed to operate outside of the laws, things might be different.

[Endangered Specie]

7. Survival of the Fittest is quite a broad term in evolution...

and it is only one part of evolution, there is alot more involved.

Even money the thread grows to 200 replies.

[Old and In the Way]

8. Shorter RW meme: Social Darwinism - Good! Biological Darwinism - Bad!

[Pseudofool]

9. Survival of the Fittest

Late Capitalism is to Coporations as Evolution is to Humans

[Arianrhod]

10. Darwin didn't write about "Survival of the Fittest" until

The Descent of Man. He first encountered the phrase in Spencer's work, and wrote him a letter asking if he could use it. "Social Darwinism" is Spencer's idea, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with evolution. It's a corporate strategy.

I do not believe neo-Darwinism shares this concept. Rather, it explores how organisms exploit niches in the environment. They are not struggling to survive, but rather are simply adapting to the conditions around them. Evolution is at its strongest when it is creating balance. Capitalism, OTOH, actively seeks to eliminate its competitors.

Not the same thing at all.