Q2Gemini re: far-right ideologies and their misunderstanding of Charles Darwin
Are there any clues you may have come across online that would indicate that perhaps MAGA (and other far right ideologies) misunderstand the research of Charles Darwin?
I've never seen this discussed in this way. Maybe I'm just not following the right forums. :). This seems important enough (at the core even) that it probably should be included in today's political conversation.
Yes, there are several indications that far-right ideologies, including those associated with MAGA, often misunderstand or misrepresent the research of Charles Darwin. These misunderstandings typically stem from a conflation of biological evolution with social or political doctrines, often for ideological purposes. Here are some key clues and common misinterpretations:
1. "Social Darwinism" and its Misapplication:
Misunderstanding: A central misunderstanding is the concept of "Social Darwinism," which is not Darwin's theory. While the phrase "survival of the fittest" (coined by Herbert Spencer, not Darwin) is often incorrectly attributed to Darwin, it was later adopted and distorted to justify social, economic, and racial hierarchies. Social Darwinism posits that certain individuals, groups, or nations are inherently "fitter" and therefore deserve to dominate, often leading to arguments against social welfare, for unchecked capitalism, imperialism, or even eugenics.
Far-Right Connection: This misapplication resonates with some far-right narratives that emphasize individualism, competition, and a belief in inherent superiority or inferiority among different groups. While mainstream science widely discredits Social Darwinism, its underlying competitive and hierarchical ethos can align with some far-right views on societal structure and power dynamics.
Clues Online: You'll find articles and discussions online from both academic and popular sources highlighting how Social Darwinism misrepresents biological evolution and how it has been historically used to justify discriminatory policies, including those associated with extreme nationalist or supremacist ideologies.
2. Creationism and Intelligent Design:
Misunderstanding: A significant portion of the far-right, particularly those with strong evangelical or fundamentalist Christian leanings, reject the scientific theory of evolution in favor of creationism or Intelligent Design (ID). Creationism adheres to a literal interpretation of biblical creation accounts, while Intelligent Design argues that life's complexity points to an "intelligent cause" rather than undirected natural processes, often implying a divine designer.
Far-Right Connection: For these groups, accepting evolution is seen as a challenge to religious faith and traditional values. The rejection of evolution often goes hand-in-hand with a broader skepticism towards mainstream science and institutions, a common theme in some far-right rhetoric.
Clues Online: You'll see numerous websites and organizations associated with creationism and Intelligent Design (like the Discovery Institute) that actively promote arguments against evolution, often framing it as a "controversy" despite overwhelming scientific consensus. These arguments frequently appear in discussions on forums and social media popular among conservative and far-right communities.
Continued in comments:
Otherwise, a reasonably bland summary of what the average human should already know about the subject.
3. Misinterpreting Natural Selection as a Moral Imperative:
Misunderstanding: Darwin's theory of natural selection describes a biological process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. It is a descriptive scientific theory, not a prescriptive moral or ethical framework. Misinterpretations often turn this into an "ought" – that society should operate like natural selection, with the "strong" prevailing and the "weak" perishing.
Far-Right Connection: This can manifest in arguments against social safety nets, or in justifications for aggressive competition, or even in the dehumanization of certain groups deemed "unfit."
Clues Online: Discussions that frame societal problems solely in terms of individual "fitness" or that advocate for policies that intentionally disadvantage certain groups under the guise of "natural order" might be drawing on this misinterpretation.
4. Racial Interpretations of Evolution:
Misunderstanding: While Darwin's work predates modern genetics and was influenced by the prevailing racial views of his time (and some of his own writings unfortunately reflect this), the scientific understanding of human evolution today emphasizes common ancestry and genetic diversity within a single human species. It refutes the idea of distinct "races" as biologically separate categories or that some "races" are inherently superior or inferior.
Far-Right Connection: Historically, and in some contemporary far-right circles, evolutionary concepts have been twisted to support racist ideologies, claiming a hierarchy of human "races" and justifying discrimination or even violence.
Clues Online: Any rhetoric that uses "evolution" to argue for racial purity, racial hierarchies, or a "struggle" between different human racial groups is a clear sign of misunderstanding and misapplication of scientific evolutionary theory. This often appears in white supremacist or ethno-nationalist online spaces.
In summary, the online landscape provides ample evidence that some within MAGA and other far-right ideologies misunderstand Darwin's research by:
Conflating biological evolution with "Social Darwinism."
Rejecting evolution in favor of creationism or Intelligent Design due to religious or ideological beliefs.
Misinterpreting natural selection as a moral blueprint for society.
Using distorted evolutionary concepts to justify racist or discriminatory views.
It's crucial to remember that these are misinterpretations and misapplications, not accurate reflections of modern evolutionary biology.