Essay/Term paper: Charles darwin

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Biography Term Papers

Charles Darwin


One of the most famous names in science and in the economy today, is
Charles Darwin. Darwin is best known for his contributions in science; his
famous theory of evolution. He also contributed to the market and command
economy with his belief, "survival of the fittest."

Charles Darwin's contribution to science has been a very controversial
one. He stated that each generation will improve adaptively over the preceding
generations, and this gradual and continuous process is the source of the
evolution of species. Natural selection is only part of Darwin's theory. He also
introduced the concept that all related organisms are descended from common
ancestors. His theory was first announced in 1858 in a paper. Darwin's complete
theory was published in 1859, in On the Origin of Species. This book is often
referred to as "the book that shook the world. The Origin sold out on the first
day of publication and subsequently went through six editions.

Charles Darwin also contributed to the Market economy with his belief
"survival of the fittest." In a free enterprise system, it is believed that the
best will survive while the less efficient will collapse if the market is
allowed to work without government interference. In a market economy, since the
government has very little control of the businesses, the companies must work
their hardest and come out with good products that will outsell the ones of
their competition.

Social Darwinism basically means that the strong will control the weak.
Social Darwinism comes from the laws of natural selection as Darwin had stated.
According to his theory, which was very popular in the late 19th century and
early 20th centuries, the weak were diminished, while the strong grew in power
and in cultural influence over the weak. In command economies, this is basically
what is happening. There is very little freedom, and the strong (mostly
government) will control the weak as in what to do, produce, etc.

As you can see, Charles Darwin has a lot of contributions to science,
market, and command economies. He was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England,
on February 12, 1809, and died in Down, Kent, on April 19, 1882. He will be
greatly remembered as one of the greatest British scientist to ever live.