
Physician and Proponent of Scientific Racism
Herbert Spencer is best known for coining the term "survival of the fittest" in his book "Principles of Biology," published in 1864.

Who: Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)
What: Applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, promoting Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the misapplication of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to human societies, arguing that certain groups or races are inherently superior and more "fit" to survive. This theory was racist because it justified social inequalities, colonialism, and eugenics by promoting the belief that some races were biologically destined to dominate others.
When: 1864
Details: Herbert Spencer is best known for coining the term "survival of the fittest" in his book "Principles of Biology," published in 1864. He applied Darwinian principles to human societies, arguing that social progress resulted from the survival of the strongest and most capable individuals and groups. Spencer's ideas were used to justify racial and class hierarchies, with the belief that European races were superior and destined to dominate other races.
Why and How It Was Racist: Spencer's Social Darwinism provided a scientific veneer to the belief in racial and social hierarchies, justifying imperialism, colonialism, and the oppression of non-white and economically disadvantaged groups.
Sources:
Websites:
Acton, H. B. (2024b, July 11). Herbert Spencer. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Herbert-Spencer
Weinstein, D. (2024, March 14). Herbert Spencer. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/spencer/