Survival of the fittest

(idea) by rp (2 d) (print) ? (I like it!) Sat Nov 13 1999 at 9:13:28

A phrase, I would say, used by those who do not adequately explain evolutionary theory.

The basic thesis of Darwinian evolution is that random changes can lead to nontrivial adaptations by means of natural selection, a continuous process which preserves those variants that fit in best with the situation at that time and place.

Hence, "survival of the fittest". It is not a tautology.

(idea) by SpudTater (5 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Sun Nov 26 2000 at 20:21:13

The phrase "survival of the fittest" was not coined by Darwin, but by Herbert Spencer, a Victorian 'social darwinist'.

The social darwinists used Darwin's theory of evolution as the justification for the economics of that era. However, they neglected to consider one thing; just because something is natural, it doesn't mean that it is right.

(idea) by Fluffy The Cat (1.8 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Fri Nov 23 2001 at 18:44:02

As far as evolutionary biology goes, fitness is entirely a measure of your ability to reproduce and pass on your genes. An organism that is incredibly strong, lives for years, slaughters all that stand in its way and in the process produces two offspring is less fit than another member of the same species that's unable to fight at all, dies when it's half the age of the other but produces four offspring. The fittest do not necessarily survive, but their genes do.

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