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Social Darwinism in American Thought

by Richard Hofstadter · 1955

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Social Darwinism in American Thoughtportrays the overall influence of Darwin on American social theory & the notable battle waged among thinkers over the implications of evolutionary theory for social thought & political action. Theorists such as Herbert Spencer & Wm Graham Sumner adopted the idea of the struggle for existence as justification for the evils as well as the benefits of laissez-faire modern industrial society. Others such as Wm James & John Dewey argued that human planning was needed to direct social development & improve upon the natural order. Hofstadter's study of the ramifications of Darwinism is a major analysis of the social philosophies that animated intellectual movements of the Gilded Age & the Progressive Era.

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Introduction

Author's Note

Author's Introduction

The Coming of Darwinism

The Vogue of Spencer

William Graham Sumner: Social Darwinist

Lester Ward: Critic

Evolution, Ethics & Society

The Dissenters

The Current of Pragmatism

Trends in Social Theory, 1890-1915

Racism & Imperialism

Conclusion

Bibliography

Notes

Index

Subject
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of thisphilosophyphilosophyMore like thisLess of thispoliticspoliticsMore like thisLess of thispsychologypsychologyMore like thisLess of thissciencescienceMore like thisLess of this
Themes
American historyAmerican historyMore like thisLess of thishistoryhistoryMore like thisLess of thisraceraceMore like thisLess of this
Setting
USAUSAMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 278 pages

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