Page 56 - The Social Weapon: Darwinism

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The maxim on which Malthus based his
thinking was what later became the “sur-
vival of the fittest” theme. The notion can
be traced from Condorcet to Malthus, to
Spencer, to Wallace, and to Darwin. It
eventually mushroomed out to influence
men such as Adolf Hitler, but we should be
reminded that it all began in the tale of the
goats and dogs. 17

As we have seen, various administra-
tors and leaders sought to use Malthus's
opinions to mask their own interests.
Various opinion formers with their own
ideological concerns played an important
role in those views receiving such wide ac-
ceptance. The disasters caused by the sup-
port given to this ruthless world view, were
on a scale never been seen before. In the fol-
lowing pages, we shall examine how this
merciless world view that began with
Malthus gained strength under the name of
Social Darwinism—and what it cost hu-
manity.

Those in need of a cheap workforce were
the first to support Malthus's misguided
views.

The Social Weapon: Darwinism