Darwinian

/dɑrˈwɪniən/ adjective, noun

Definition

Relating to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection, or describing a ruthless, competitive situation where only the strongest survive.

Etymology

From Charles Darwin, the 19th-century naturalist who developed the theory of evolution; the term became a word describing both his scientific ideas and a competitive philosophy called 'social Darwinism.'

Kelly Says

Ironically, Darwin himself emphasized cooperation and mutual aid in nature just as much as competition, but 'Darwinian' became popular shorthand for brutal, cutthroat competition—a misreading of his work that shows how scientific ideas get filtered through cultural biases.

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