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British Philosopher and Sociologist



Who: Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)


What: Applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, promoting Social Darwinism.


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: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Encyclopaedia Britannica

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