AP Euro Topic: 7.4 & 7.5 Darwinism, Social Darwinism, Age Progress

Charles Darwin

English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection

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On the Origin of Species

Charles Darwin's book explained how various species evolve over time and only those with advantages can survive and reproduce

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natural selection

A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment and the weeding out of unfit species.

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theory of evolution

states that organisms change and develop over time to adapt an increase rate of survival

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Herbert Spencer

English Philosopher "Survival of the fittest"; Social Darwinism between societies and cultures

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Social Darwinism

The application of ideas about evolution and "survival of the fittest" to human societies - particularly as a justification for their imperialist expansion.

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Survival of the Fittest

Phrase used by Herbert Spencer that justified not imperialism and the bad treatment of the poor. They are too weak to survive.

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Victorian Era

the time frame spanning the reign of Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901)

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materialism

the philosophy that everything, including the human mind and consciousness is made of matter/substance, or influenced by it.

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physicalism

the theory that human beings can be explained completely and adequately in terms of their physical or material components

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positivism

the belief that knowledge should be derived from scientific observation only. Emphasizes rational and scientific analysis of nature and human affairs

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Auguste Comte

Founder of positivism philosophy and sociology.

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modernism

Philosophy rejecting traditional beliefs and morals as out-dated. Rationality, industry, and technology were cornerstones of progress and human achievement.

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irrationalism

Any explanation of human behavior stressing determinants that are not under rational control—for example, explanations that emphasize the importance of emotions or unconscious mechanisms.

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Georges Sorel

French political philosopher who argued social change required revolutionary action.

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Friedrich Nietzsche

German philosopher who said ideas such as reason, democracy, and progress should be questioned. Described the decay of traditional moral structure in Europe. "God is Dead"

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Henri Bergson

A French philosopher who said that personal experiences and intuition were more important than rational thought and thinking. Rejected established values--embraced change.

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Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, and the father of modern psychology.

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psychoanalysis

a clinical method for treating mental health through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst.

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Albert Einstein

German physicist who developed the theory of relativity, which states that time, space, and mass are relative to each other and not fixed.

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Max Planck

German physicist who developed quantum theory which attempts to explain the physics of atomic and subatomic processes.

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quantum mechanics

describes the motions of subatomic particles and atoms as waves and is the foundation for invention of things such as computers, lasers, GPS, and MRI.

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