According to the survival of the fittest concept, there is a mechanism of natural selection that leads to reproductive success. Darwin’s evolutionary theory refers to the species that can adjust to the environment to translate their attributes to the future generations. Based on the “On the Origin of Species” by Darwin, Spencer used the phrase “survival of the fittest”. As viewed by Spencer, Darwin’s theory could also be applied to humans to track their development and adaptability. Therefore, this author is widely known as a social Darwinist, who stated that those who fail deserve their failure, and those who are worth success, achieve it (Ritzer, 2011). It is possible to claim that the key difference between Spencer and Darwin is their social and biological approaches to evolution.
In terms of Spencer’s evolutionary theory, there are two main components, such as motion and matter. In the integration of these components, the matter transforms from abstract to definite forms, while motion experiences parallel changes. Compared to Darwin, who focused on biological changes of species, Spencer tried to understand the non-organic world, which can be referred to as cultural today. More to the point, Spencer stated that there is the principle that all the components have great attraction and the least resistance. Likewise Darwin, Spencer used biology to support his ideas, claiming that cerates struggling for the existence and winning would effectively adapt to the changing environment (Ritzer, 2011). For example, it was considered that simpler societies are likely to transform into larger ones, becoming compound societies. In comparison, both Darwin and Spencer stated that evolution occurs from homogeneous to heterogeneous and from simple to complex. While Darwin experimented with animals, Spencer imagined a more moral and developed society.
Reference
Ritzer, G. (2011). Classical sociological theory (6th ed.). McGraw Hill.