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Darwinism and the Scopes Monkey Trial, 2004.
An examination of Charles Darwin's controversial theory of human evolution and the Scopes Monkey Trial.
1,777 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how Charles Darwin's theory of evolution has met with much controversy throughout history. The paper points out that the issue of whether an all-mighty God created the universe and people or whether people evolved from monkeys remains a heated topic. To illustrate this, the paper focuses on the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee in the Rhea County Courthouse. John Scopes, a substitute biology teacher, was accused of breaking the Butler Act, prohibiting the teaching of the evolution theory in all the universities and public schools of Tennessee. The paper asserts that the trial went beyond being just the trying of a man who taught evolution against the law. It became a trial of religion vs. evolution. The paper concludes that, although Scopes lost the case, he won the public's favor.
From the Paper
"Dayton Tennessee was a small town and many Daytonians viewed the Scopes trial as an opportunity to put their town on the map. Under normal circumstances, the law would not have been challenged but a plan was hatched out by George Rappleyea, a staunch evolutionist and local businessman in Rhea County, who saw the trial as a way to attract money and attention to the small town, helping to raise up its failing economy. During the trial, the normally quiet yet prosperous town became, for about two hot weeks in July, a fair of lemonade and hotdog stands, banners and monkey pennants, caged apes, hawkers of religious tracts and biology texts, Holy Rollers and evangelists, and hundreds of members of the press. Dayton was, however, a very religious community, and with nine churches in town, it was apparent why the people did not want evolution taught in the classrooms. H. L. Mencken, a writer who once visited the town said it was "full of charm and even some beauty" but also complained that because of its strong religious beliefs the town had "no bootleggers, no gambling, no place to dance, and that no fancy women." During the trial however, it was said that the town "was literally drunk on religious excitement." There was seating available in the courthouse for 700, but 300 more standees crammed in to watch Dayton's most historic event take place. Rappleyea's plan was coming into play and working just as he had hoped. Attention to the town was coming from all over as the trial began."
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The Scopes Monkey Trial, 1995.
Discusses some of the aspects of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial, in which the ACLU fostered a test case to help ban religious teaching from schools.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, $ 23.95
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From the Paper
"The Scopes Trial remains a central example of the battle between science and fundamentalist religion, or religion which is based on received truth and which denies the validity of much scientific inquiry. In many ways, America in the 1920s was divided into two nations, one urban and one rural, and therefore the battle in the Scopes case has been presented at least in part a battle between urban modernism and rural backwardness. The nation was also beset at the time with a nostalgia for a simpler past, a result of relief at the end of World War I, and many in rural areas sought to reassert the old verities.
H.L. Mencken certainly presented the issues in this light, depicting the urban nation as more accepting of scientific truth and so more willing to adapt to reality, while the rural region was clinging to old truths and refusing to accept new knowledge. In ..."
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The Scope Monkey Trials, 2004.
A comparative analysis of the Scope Monkey trials and the movie adaptation "Inherit the Wind".
1,299 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 13 sources, APA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how "Inherit the Wind" was written by playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee as a response to the threat to intellectual freedom presented by the anti-communist panic of the McCarthy era. The film does not claim to be an historically accurate depiction of the Scopes trial and place names and names of trial participants are changed. It analyzes how the movie promotes a stereotype of the public debate about the creation and evolution that gives all virtue and intelligence to the Darwinist.
From the Paper
"Rachel and her father are fictitious additions to the historic reality of the trial in order to draw the audience to the side of the authors more enlightenment. The slap in the face to Rachel by Mrs. Bryan is also impossible due to Rachel's nonexistence as wells as Mrs. Bryan's crippling arthritis which confined her to a wheelchair. The nightmare prayer meeting did not happen since Reverend Brown is the author's character added to stereotype fundamentalists as vicious, ignorant, Bible thumping bigots."
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The Scopes Trial, 2007.
An analysis of the relationship between the Scopes Trial in the 1920s and the new way of thinking today called "intelligent design."
889 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the famous Scopes Trial that took place almost 80 years ago, which debated whether the theory of evolution should be taught in the classroom. The paper discusses how the verdict of the trial was considered a big victory for science and reasoning and how it later got interpreted as the victory of free speech against oppression. The paper relates this trial to the current way of thinking called 'intelligent design'.
From the Paper
"The trial did create an impression for a while but disbelief in Darwinism did not disappear completely and time and again it started showing its face in public sphere in different modes. Let's not forget the Edward J. Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning book 'Summer of Gods' in which he made his anti-Darwinism ideas loud and clear. Also Church kept on raising its voice in different ways against Darwin and his evolution theory. A large number of American people kept on subscribing to literal interpretation of Bible while being skeptical of the beliefs of Darwin. The movement that was curbed temporarily by the trial kept on gaining force with the passage of time and now the religious conservatism can be seen on the rise again. In the decade of 70s the emergence of Reagan in the presidential office got the agenda of religious beliefs and conservatism back on the forefront."
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The Scopes Trial of 1925, 2000.
An examination of the legal and cultural background, the issues, outcome and impact of trial of the instructor for teaching evolution in Tennessee school.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 5 sources, $ 55.95
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From the Paper
"In 1925, science instructor John Scopes was prosecuted for teaching evolution in his classroom, a violation of Tennessee law. Scopes' case has become known as the "Monkey Trial," where the many facets of American cultural life collided in a steamy courtroom in Dayton, Tennessee. This paper will examine the Scopes trial and why it is the trial of the century.
The theory of evolution, first proposed by Charles Darwin in 1858, gained increasing acceptance in American textbooks beginning in the 1880s. By 1920, the teaching of evolution had become widespread. Meanwhile, America's public schools experienced an explosion of students, as the nation became more urbanized and secondary school education became mandatory (Larson 15-27).
This expansion coincided with the Progressive Era..."
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"Darwin on Trial", 2007.
A review of the works of Phillip E. Johnson, particularly his book "Darwin on Trial."
1,870 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 59.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the views of Phillip E. Johnson, who is considered one of the important leaders in the "Intelligent Design" movement, which is an offshoot of "creationism" and has been used by those who oppose evolution. The paper describes his book, "Darwin on Trial" as a good one to read for those who want a balanced look at both sides of the current debate between the ideas of evolution and the ideas of creationism.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Brief Summary
Critical Interaction
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper
"Phillip E. Johnson is considered one of the important leaders in the "Intelligent Design" movement, which is an offshoot of "creationism" and has been used by those who oppose evolution, or are in the belief that "evolutionists" are ignoring the role God played in the construction of Earth and the universe. Johnson's books have become an important tool in the hands of fundamentalist Christians, evangelicals and other conservative Christians. Johnson is not a scientist, he is a law professor, with a specialty, he writes on page 13, of "...analyzing the logic of arguments and identifying the assumptions that lie behind those arguments." The fact that he is a lawyer who employs "logic" and critically analyzes "assumptions" gives him the license he needs to painstakingly critique the "relevant scientific information" relating to evolution. His book is a good one to read for those who want a balanced look at both sides of the current debate between the ideas of evolution, and the ideas of creationism (or "intelligent design")."
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"Darwin on Trial", 2007.
A discussion on Philip Johnson's book, "Darwin on Trial".
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper offers an opinionated discussion on the arguments presented in Johnson's book. The paper begins with a general background on Darwin and the controversy surrounding his theory of evolution. It then offers examples from the book, which the author of the paper debates or refutes.
From the Paper
"Johnson argues over the idea of the "survival of the fittest," though this was not a Darwinian notion in the first place but was added later by Herbert Spencer. Johnson sees this as part of natural selection, though, and argues at length that it is a false argument that assumes the conclusion in the way the question is framed. Johnson again and again raises logical objections to ideas he says are part of the idea of evolution, and often he is seeing a logical fallacy where there is none. At the same time, he makes the same logical errors he attributes to others as, for instance, when he assumes the answer in the way he asks the question. Given that he sees no need for proof of the existence of God, the way he approaches all the issues involved here is based on a clear assumption of certain religious tenets. "
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Darwinism in America, 2001.
Examines mixed reaction in U.S. over Darwin's theories of evolution & natural selection. Religious controversies; Scopes trial. Teaching Social Darwinisn in schools. Current historiography.
4,950 words (approx. 19.8 pages), 9 sources, $ 135.95
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From the Paper
"This research paper discusses the reception, dissemination and teaching of the views of Charles Darwin (1809-1882) in the United States since the publication of his Origin of the Species in 1859 and his The Descent of Man in 1871.
Darwinism, namely, Darwin's scientific discoveries and opinions concerning the evolution of living or organic species, including humans, and the chief natural mechanism which he said governed that evolution, natural selection, challenged traditionally held Western scientific, philosophical and theological worldviews of the origin of life and the nature of man. As such, it received a mixed reaction in the United States initially and subsequently. Modern historiography suggests that the American reception accorded to Darwinism during the late..."
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Darwinism and Materialism, 2001.
This paper illustrates the link between materialism and Darwinism that originated from the philosopher Darwin, and shows how Darwinism has created harmful effects.
2,780 words (approx. 11.1 pages), 13 sources, $ 82.95
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Abstract
An argumentative paper against Darwinism. The author shows how Darwinism and materialism are interconnected and how Darwinism has caused harm to the world. The author investigates why people still continue to believe in it regardless of its lack of evidence.
From the Paper
"Darwin legitimized violence by claiming that humans are, in essence, animals struggling for life. Most people think the theory of evolution was first proposed by Charles Darwin, and rests on scientific evidence, observations and experiments. However, in the same way that Darwin was not its originator neither does the theory rest on scientific proof. The theory consists of an adaptation to nature of an ancient dogma called materialist philosophy. Although it is backed up by no scientific evidence, the theory is blindly supported in the name of materialist philosophy."
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Class Conduct: Social Darwinism and the Industrial Elite, 2002.
This essay discusses Social Darwinism, in Dickens' book "Hard Times", as it relates to the relationship of the working class and the factory owners.
1,000 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 6 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This essay discusses Charles Dickens? book, ?Hard Times?, with respect to the industrial elite, such as the factory owners, and their relationship with the working class. More specifically, the author discusses how Social Darwinism, a philosophy that allowed for the mistreatment of the poor, played a major role in the separation of the two classes.
From the Paper:
"Dickens? book, "Hard Times", first came out in 1854, well after evolutionary theory had been introduced to Britain. Bounderby, one of the characters in Hard Times, represents an adherent to a variation on evolutionary theory: Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the idea that social policy should allow the weak and unfit to fail and die, and that this is not only good policy but morally righ.t?
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Social Darwinism, 2003.
An examination of the fundamentals of Darwinism and its influence over early 20th century psychology.
920 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 6 sources, APA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the fundamentals of Darwinism, particularly the concepts of natural selection and the survival of the fittest. The paper then details how these ideas led to the development of Social Darwinism. The paper concludes by discussing the influence of Social Darwinism on early 20th-century psychology.
From the Paper
"Charles Darwin is known to us all today as the inventor of the theory of evolution. But this knowledge fails to take into account the fact that the theory of evolution and natural selection that Darwin created is different in essential ways from the one that..."
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Social Darwinism, 2008.
An overview of the history and evolution of the concept known as Social Darwinism.
2,681 words (approx. 10.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 80.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how in the late 19th century, a popular belief emerged, where the strongest or fittest survive and flourish in the society, while the weak and unfit should be allowed to die and how this popular belief was called Social Darwinism. It examines how a variety of past and present social policies and theories is characterized by this thought, from attempts to lessen the authority of the government to theories that look at the biological causes of human behavior and how the theories of evolution of Charles Darwin, a British naturalist and Herbert Spencer, one of the first sociologist and a British social philosopher, established this belief.
Outline:
Fabianism
Social Darwinism and Fabianism
From the Paper
"Over the supernatural in human development, Darwin's discussion of evolution was unique. Under certain conditions, individuals with certain physical and mental traits were allowed to succeed more often than others. And this phenomenon defines new species, which were more different from their descendants, due to the accumulation of traits in the population over time. In 1871, he wrote the Descent of Man. He felt that social nature such as pity and moral sentiments also evolved by natural selection, and that the societies where they occur, was strengthened by this. Darwin's findings and the concept of God's creation was a total conflict, and so, his native England, as well as the rest of the world was swayed."
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Social Darwinism and Herbert Spencer, 2004.
Defines Social Darwinism and the social system advocated by Herbert Spencer.
754 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper begins with an explanation of the Social Darwinism theory advocated by Herbert Spencer and derived from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The paper defines Social Darwinism as a social theory that promotes a society that allows natural selection of the fittest and suggests setting up a social system that extends no benefits to the weak or the ill. The paper points out what is wrong with this theory, examines why Spencer believed it would lead to the attainment of human perfection, and addresses the question of whether Spencer's views were scientific or the result of a social ideology.
From the Paper
"Herbert Spencer intended to use Social Darwinism in order to propagate human perfection. An interference with the natural process of selection will alter the course of a perfect society. It is important to identify what interference is. In a society that tends to achieve perfection, any efforts made by any entity to better the state or prolong the existence of the imperfect will be considered as interference. Hence, the poor are one of the weak entities in a society when viewed under the lens of Social Darwinism. The government is the entity that may support/aid the poor to prolong and propagate its survival in the society. Herbert Spencer suggested that the government support or interference by providing aid to the poor will alter the course of a perfect human society by allowing the poverty to propagate. Spencer viewed this intervention as threat to a perfect society, hence opposed all government aid to the poor. In fact, Spence supported the laissez-faire system political and economic system in order to remove all support from the state to the weak and incompetent."
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The Effects of Social Darwinism on Imperialism, 2003.
Outlines the many ways the theory of Social Darwinism has negatively influenced imperialism.
1,724 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper explains how the theory of Social Darwinism fueled the flames of imperialism by leading oppressor nations to believe that their imperialistic ventures were a natural, social evolutionary process and not a cruel, tyrannical system of governance. It discusses how the soldiers? belief in Social Darwinism allowed them a universal pardon for their actions.
From the Paper
"Secondly, the success of these imperialist lands is owed largely to the support of their people. The leaders ?marketed? imperialism to the people under the pretense of Social Darwinism. Finally, when these weaker countries were subjugated, they were conditioned to believe that the invasion and oppression of their people was an unavoidable result of nature. The oppressed peoples bought into this to some extent because, according to Social Darwinism, only the fittest survive and the unfit will inevitable fall by the wayside. So, the manifestation of the theory permitted the imperialistic nations to survive and multiply while the oppressed civilizations were invaded and distorted."
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Darwinism, 2003.
Examines Darwin's theory as a framework of Victorian society.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, $ 39.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses scientific Darwinism and Social Darwinism. It examines ways in which Darwinism challenged Victorian beliefs, as well as the belief that individual morality should shape social relations to improve lives of the poor.
From the Paper
"Darwinism and Victorian Beliefs
Darwinism is, generally, defined by Carl Degler (pp. 10-11) as a framework through which Victorian society and its heirs have defined and understood the world. Implicit in Darwinism is the work of Charles Darwin, which ..."
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