The Word "Darwinism"

[Giant Blue Anteater]

I'll wager everybody here knows that the word "Darwinism" was a term invented by creationists to argue against evolution. But recently I've been hearing people who accept evolution use the term Darwinism when describing the theory of evolution.

Honestly, people who say "Darwinism" when they accept evolutionary theory have no idea what they are talking about. They describe evolutionary theory like its some kind of ideology (Marxism for instance), like Darwin is a god, and disregard the accumulating data regarding evolution decades after its discovery by Darwin. I think enough is enough. First off, why aren't people like Einstein, Newton, and others and their respective ideas being hailed as gods and their ideaologies as much as Darwin is? In other words, why isn't there "Einsteinism", "Newtonism", or "Copernicism"? Second off, saying "Darwinism" implies that Darwin is an authoritative figure in the science of evolution, and cannot be questioned, and as I said, completely disregards how our knowledge of evolution greatly increased decades after Darwin discovered it. Third off, because saying "Darwinism" implies ideological and authoritative significance, it misrepresents the theory of evolution to such a way that perpetuates ignorance, because creationists believe its all about Darwin, when we all know this is not the case. And obviously, some people who think they know something about evolution are sympathizing with their ignorance by thinking similarly. Which brings me to a fourth point. Some people don't even care if people reject such a sun-bright reality in favor of Iron Age stories who were copied off of other cultures, and then these stories were exploited in Medieval Europe to subjugate the minds of the population to their rulers, and go on professing their belief in "Darwinism" like it is no different from creationism, when the fact that the latter is being treated equally (despite not being backed up by any substantiating evidence) is a warning sign that something is not being done right.

Somebody put this pejorative down for good, because the fact that I am hearing this from people who accept evolution is an utter travesty.

 

[Aught3]

Re: "Darwinism" is Not a Word

I think it might be too late to stop it. Pejoratives have a way of being taken on by the people they are supposed to be targeting e.g. suffragette or Torey. I think it stems from the issue of the word 'evolution' being used for both the process of gradual change and the theory that describes it. Since Darwin was the main person who came up with the theory of evolution I don't have a problem with the shorthand description of 'Darwinism'. Anyway, haven't you ever heard of Newtonian physics or Coperican models of the solar system?

 

[Jorick]

Re: "Darwinism" is Not a Word

The fact that people use it as a real word makes it a word, so your thread title is silly. What you should have said is that it's a misnomer. Darwinism as the scientists and such use it basically means the idea of natural selection is real and happens. Creationists are the ones who make it out to be a bad thing. This is especially funny when they accept that micro-evolution happens, and that natural selection makes it happen, but they call out "omg Darwinism!!!!"

Really though, there's no avoiding having an -ism word slapped on to us. The creationists must label us a religious ideology to keep their beliefs secure in their own minds, because if it's just science in their minds and not a religion, then they might have to actually consider it.

But I agree that 'Darwinism' is a poor word choice. As I said, it only encompasses the basics of natural selection. I would propose the obvious alternative of 'evolutionism' instead. But, until people like Richard Dawkins stop using the word 'Darwinism,' we're stuck with it.

 

[borrofburi]

Re: "Darwinism" is Not a Word

I agree, I hate highly dislike it. I cringe whenever I hear someone use the term. Evolution is not an -ism. Call it Darwinian Biology, or Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary Theory, but do *not* attach an -ism.

 

[5810Singer]

Re: "Darwinism" is Not a Word

The "Darwinism" misnomer allows creationists to reduce Darwin's theory to the level of religious dogma, and in light of that we should all try to discourage it's use.

 

[Giant Blue Anteater]

Re: "Darwinism" is Not a Word

The fact that people use it as a real word makes it a word, so your thread title is silly. What you should have said is that it's a misnomer.

Alright then, I stand corrected. Changing thread title...

I think it might be too late to stop it. Pejoratives have a way of being taken on by the people they are supposed to be targeting e.g. suffragette or Torey. I think it stems from the issue of the word 'evolution' being used for both the process of gradual change and the theory that describes it. Since Darwin was the main person who came up with the theory of evolution I don't have a problem with the shorthand description of 'Darwinism'. Anyway, haven't you ever heard of Newtonian physics or Coperican models of the solar system?

Yes, I have. And so have I heard "Darwinian evolution". But "-an" is not my concern here, as that suffix is used when describing the theory as discovered by them. My beef with "-ism" is that it implies ideological significance, as I said in the original post, that you must bow down to Darwin unconditionally, even if we wasn't right on everything. Don't get me wrong, Darwin was a great man, and his great discovery shouldn't be taken for granted, but we now know a lot more than him. Besides, doesn't the word "evolution" sum that all up (gradual change and the theory that describe it)? I honestly don't see the issue in that. Could you elaborate?

 

[nemesiss]

for the sake of the argument the definition of darwinsim.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwinism

"Darwinism is a term used for various movements or concepts related to ideas of transmutation of species or evolution, including ideas with no connection to the work of Charles Darwin. The meaning of Darwinism has changed over time, and varies depending on who is using the term. In the United States, Darwinism is often used by creationists as a pejorative term but in the United Kingdom the term has no negative connotations, being freely used as a short hand for evolutionary theory."

we may not have einsteinsm, we have the word "einsteinian".




to spice up the forum, let us make similar terms in a similar way.
here are some words and lets give them a definition:

~hovindistic
~PCS-itcal
~Behesian
~luskonian
~Kitzmilleronic

ps, if you can come up with more interesting terms, please post.

 

[Aught3]

Yes, I have. And so have I heard "Darwinian evolution". But "-an" is not my concern here, as that suffix is used when describing the theory as discovered by them. My beef with "-ism" is that it implies ideological significance, as I said in the original post, that you must bow down to Darwin unconditionally, even if we wasn't right on everything. Don't get me wrong, Darwin was a great man, and his great discovery shouldn't be taken for granted, but we now know a lot more than him. Besides, doesn't the word "evolution" sum that all up (gradual change and the theory that describe it)? I honestly don't see the issue in that. Could you elaborate?

Actually, you're right. When I use the word I say Darwinian evolution rather than Darwinism I guess that's what I was thinking of.

The problem is that when talking to someone who doesn't understand they can't separate the theory behind how evolution occurs (natural selection etc) and the process of evolution which is self-evident to anyone who looks. When you or I read a piece on evolution we can tell from the context whether it is the theory or the process being discussed creationists and other naive people cannot. Ever found yourself at one point trying to keep the two separate and wishing there was another word that you could use to highlight the distinction? I certainly have.