Social Darwinism in American Thought

Social Darwinism in American Thought portrays 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.

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