Survival of the Whole VS. the Fittest - Page 2

Daoist · 05-18-2012, 03:40 AM

I suppose this depends on how social a species you are. If you have sexual reproduction, as others have mentioned, it doesn't matter if you're superman if the ladies don't like you (and can't reproduce with you.) If your a bacterium, on the other hand, this isn't so much of an issue (although there may be other kinds of social interactions besides reproduction that cause a colony to act more like a single organism.)

Also to add to what others have mentioned, good times tend to favor the social species - as there's no reason for change - whereas the individualist Davy Crockets do better during times of upheaval.

**zibber** · 05-18-2012, 04:05 AM

Ain't nobody into social darwinism but disconnected privileged people.

**mormeguil** · 05-18-2012, 08:24 AM


	Ain't nobody into social darwinism but disconnected privileged people.

I have found that cute a few person who "had it hard" and got successfull are all for sociol Darwinism. It's quite strange to see in action. Someone had to pull incredible hours, incredible hard work or have an incredible talent to succeed...and assume it's possible for everyone.

**Hyperfocus** · 05-20-2012, 05:48 AM

As it’s been said, I'll confirm. Fitness is gauged by how many viable offspring you produce. Sexiness, strength, adaptability, intellect, all these things may help...but ultimately all that is important is the creation of offspring who produce offspring who produce offspring etc.

OP. Read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. It discusses in great detail about altruism, Darwinism, gene fitness etc. It could address your question (and what I see as flaws in your basic knowledge) very appropriately.

**Polymath20** · 05-21-2012, 01:15 PM

	Originally Posted by Hyperfocus To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	As it’s been said, I'll confirm. Fitness is gauged by how many viable offspring you produce. Sexiness, strength, adaptability, intellect, all these things may help...but ultimately all that is important is the creation of offspring who produce offspring who produce offspring etc.

Like that joker who has 30 children in that other thread. He's obviously not particularly intelligent nor does have good impulse control (he managed to father 9 children in 3 years, after stating that he had no intention of having any more children).

So, whatever he's got going for him, he has a high fitness, from evolutionary perspectives. That is, of course, assuming that all of his children don't starve to death.

**curiousgeorge01** · 05-21-2012, 02:16 PM

We haven't even discussed cataclysmic events. Sometimes it's not even who's fastest, strongest, smartest, sometimes it's who can breathe through smoke, or didn't fall into a big-a55 hole.

**sunitaishot** · 05-30-2012, 02:10 AM

People often misinterpret what Darwin meant.

If a physical environment is rapidly changing, then those best able to meet it prosper. It's as simple as that. Does this denote a lack of compassion? what if defending the whole will damage the whole ultimately?

As morals are subjective, this is for the individual to decide.

05-18-2012, 03:40 AM	#26
Daoist Veteran Member [82%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,309	I suppose this depends on how social a species you are. If you have sexual reproduction, as others have mentioned, it doesn't matter if you're superman if the ladies don't like you (and can't reproduce with you.) If your a bacterium, on the other hand, this isn't so much of an issue (although there may be other kinds of social interactions besides reproduction that cause a colony to act more like a single organism.) Also to add to what others have mentioned, good times tend to favor the social species - as there's no reason for change - whereas the individualist Davy Crockets do better during times of upheaval.
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05-18-2012, 04:05 AM	#27
zibber Core Member [408%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16,343	Ain't nobody into social darwinism but disconnected privileged people.
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05-20-2012, 05:48 AM	#29
Hyperfocus New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 51	As it’s been said, I'll confirm. Fitness is gauged by how many viable offspring you produce. Sexiness, strength, adaptability, intellect, all these things may help...but ultimately all that is important is the creation of offspring who produce offspring who produce offspring etc. OP. Read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. It discusses in great detail about altruism, Darwinism, gene fitness etc. It could address your question (and what I see as flaws in your basic knowledge) very appropriately.
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05-21-2012, 02:16 PM	#31
curiousgeorge01 Core Member [118%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4,746	We haven't even discussed cataclysmic events. Sometimes it's not even who's fastest, strongest, smartest, sometimes it's who can breathe through smoke, or didn't fall into a big-a55 hole.
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05-30-2012, 02:10 AM	#32
sunitaishot Banned MBTI: ENTJ Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3,572	People often misinterpret what Darwin meant. If a physical environment is rapidly changing, then those best able to meet it prosper. It's as simple as that. Does this denote a lack of compassion? what if defending the whole will damage the whole ultimately? As morals are subjective, this is for the individual to decide.
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