How To Live Under An Unqualified President by John Piper

anon12438761 · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Michael - it does not reflect my opinion. As far as others here, they can speak for themselves, but I haven’t read anything by them to show that they are heartless SD’s.

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Dave,

You contradict George MacDonald, The Pope, The Bible, and how America does things. I didn’t know people were saying Trump was “Social Darwinism” until you told me. I was just seeing how you all were talking in Hermano’s post and here. I’m finding things on the internet now that say Trumps worldview is Social Darwinism. Let me think this over. I hate to jump to conclusions.

anon12438761 · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Michael, I don’t even remember using the term ‘social Darwinism’ before. But I’m mentally feeble - you can ask Randy about that - so maybe I forgot.

George has weighed in on Trump? Why was he so damn silent about the criminal Hillary?

The Bible? How am I contradicting? What are you talking about?

I’m starting to get a headache.

maintenanceman · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

St Mike said:

How do they do things St Michael?

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Just found this from Abilene Christian University:

acuoptimist.com/2015/12/can-trump-evolve-beyond-social-darwinism/

This was written before the election and before I came to my thought of Social Darwinism.

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Republicans Begin To Break With President Trump

msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republicans-begin-to-break-with-president-trump/ar-AAmo70V?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

maintenanceman · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Mike, You said

Well, where is it?

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

MM,

They teach helping the disabled and weak outcast. (poor).

During the 2012 elections, several editorials and academic papers declared a rebirth of social Darwinism in candidates’ platforms. Today, I believe specific candidates have built on that rebirth and utilized a brand of neo-social Darwinism as their platform. Donald Trump stands out as the chief social Darwinist of the 2016 elections.

But first, some background on the social Darwinist movement of the late 19th century. The 1870’s marked the beginning of social Darwinism, a theory based on survival of the fittest, laissez faire doctrine, and the belief that only those best adapted to the environment would prevail. Pioneered by Herbert Spencer, men like William Graham Sumner and Andrew Carnegie carried the movement into industry and academics. It is important to note that this gospel of social Darwinism worked in the late 19th century, especially in the West.

To many, this seems like the American way; work hard and you are rewarded. But it is important to highlight the gross racial bias touted by this philosophy that cripples those that are not already ahead. Not only are minorities at a disadvantage within this framework, but anyone that does not accomplish success is chewed up and spit out by the machine.

And this leads us to the Trump. Donald Trump does not explicitly oppose opportunities for minorities in America, but his support of this new brand of social Darwinism handicaps those without a head start. Trump has capitalized on the long-standing financial social Darwinism of the Republican party and used it to catapult himself to the front of the ticket.

In many ways, Trump is a perfect fit for the social Darwinist culture. He is aggressive, wealthy, and utterly self-absorbed. He has capitalized so well on the Republican party’s incompetence that he’s become the party’s dominant candidate. And that’s the problem.

As the social Darwinism movement of the late 19th century demonstrated through abominable labor conditions and a monopolized economy, social Darwinism is not an equitable way to govern or manage a nation. The survival of the fittest does not sustain a nation as diverse as the United States of America.

This is the Trump conundrum. Can he formulate policy alternatives and approaches that will sustain this nation? Does he have substance beyond “Make America Great Again”? His slogan is heart-warming and captivating, but the question still lingers, “How will Donald Trump make America great again?”

Social Darwinism isn’t the answer. The survival of the fittest will always result in the trampling of the lesser and ill-equipped population. This predicament will be played out in the near future, and no matter one’s voting preference, one will likely be forced to confront Trump’s policies and their dogma. acuoptimist.com/2015/12/can-trump-evolve-beyond-social-darwinism/

QUESTION: What is Social Darwinism?

ANSWER:

Herbert Spencer, a 19th century philosopher, promoted the idea of Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is an application of the theory of natural selection to social, political, and economic issues. In its simplest form, Social Darwinism follows the mantra of “the strong survive,” including human issues. This theory was used to promote the idea that the white European race was superior to others, and therefore, destined to rule over them.

At the time that Spencer began to promote Social Darwinism, the technology, economy, and government of the “White European” was advanced in comparison to that of other cultures. Looking at this apparent advantage, as well as the economic and military structures, some argued that natural selection was playing out, and that the race more suited to survival was winning. Some even extended this philosophy into a micro-economic issue, claiming that social welfare programs that helped the poor and disadvantaged were contrary to nature itself. Those who reject any and all forms of charity or governmental welfare often use arguments rooted in Social Darwinism.

At its worst, the implications of Social Darwinism were used as scientific justification for the Holocaust. The Nazis claimed that the murder of Jews in World War II was an example of cleaning out the inferior genetics. Many philosophers noted evolutionary echoes in Hitler’s march to exterminate an entire race of people. Various other dictators and criminals have claimed the cause of Social Darwinism in carrying out their acts. Even without such actions, Social Darwinism has proven to be a false and dangerous philosophy.

Scientists and evolutionists maintain that this interpretation is only loosely based on Darwin’s theory of natural selection. They will admit to an obvious parallel between Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection and Spencer’s beliefs. In nature, the strong survive and those best suited to survival will out-live the weak. According to Social Darwinism, those with strength (economic, physical, technological) flourish and those without are destined for extinction.

It is important to note that Darwin did not extend his theories to a social or economic level, nor are any credible evolutionists subscribing to the theories of Social Darwinism. Herbert Spencer’s philosophy is only loosely based on the premises of Darwin’s work.

However, according to evolutionary theory, nature is a “kill-or-be-killed” system. Those that cannot keep up are either left behind or cut off. If evolution, through chance, is solely responsible for life as we now know it, why should that process be countered? If “survival of the fittest” or “kill or be killed” cannot apply in what we define as “decent society,” then, which is wrong, society or evolution? If neither, then how do we explain morality, charity, and compassion? Why drain resources from the strong to support the weak? Certainly, we should be charitable and help those in need.

Though Darwin did not promote Social Darwinism, basic evolutionary theory raises some nagging questions.

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’…

anon12438761 · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

We will know them by their fruits, eh? Lefties throwing dirt on conservatives is just their way of life imo. They have two stances, do the lefties - bullying if they are winning, throwing tantrums when they lose. imo

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

God allows evil to carry out judgement

davo · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

How to win friends and influence people… mccain.senate.gov/public/ind … mmigration

St_Michael · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Thanks Davo!!

Holy-Fool-P-Zombie · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Which raises some questions, for the FFA (Fantastic Fans of America), on this forum (and elsewhere). If Trump’s immigration policy, is criticized by:

Eminent fellow Republicans John McCain and Lindsey Graham
A Roman Catholic cardinal from Chicago (as I heard on the WFMT, radio news today). Keeping in mind, that a cardinal speaks on behalf, of the Roman Catholic Church.
Silicon Valley tech executives, via this BBC story at Silicon Valley lashes out at Trump ban
The German chancellor
Etc.

Do you tell them, to kept their mouths shut and stop complaining? Or do we reach a point, when someone of a high enough status and position complains - that we should listen?

anon12438761 · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

You are the least Missourian of all the Missourians I know.

Holy-Fool-P-Zombie · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

I’m the Socratic Missourian. In other words, I believe in the Motto “I’m from Missouri - show me.” But I also believe in asking questions, in the manner of Socrates.

anon12438761 · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Show me! You have one day.

Anyway, a tidbit from a current philosopher:

"Every reasonable person must grant that there must be some restrictions placed on whom to allow to immigrate. Trump will alienate Muslims and leftists but he will also insure that what has already happened in Europe won’t happen here.

You lefties need to cool your jets, to use an old '70s expression, and give the man a chance. The stroke you prevent may be your own. The more extreme and thuggish your protests, the more asinine your Hitler comparisons, the more you will discredit yourselves in the eyes of the sane." -BV

And we all like videos!

pilgrim · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Why wasn’t Saudi-Arabia on the banned list?

anon12438761 · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

That’s a good question that’s being thrown around here and there. I don’t know.

Holy-Fool-P-Zombie · March 9, 2018, 3:30am

Let me ask a Socratic question. Could it be that we have, a huge military presence there…As well as several American workers and companies, with the oil industry…And Trump gave them an exception - on humanitarian grounds