1/29/98
 
This class will provide background for the two readings Degler, Carl In Search of Human Nature, Chas.-2; Hodge,"Systematic Theology," H&C, 5-12, as well as a bridge between "Realism" and the "Pragmatic" or antiformalist movement in the Social Sciences (next week). Since much of the material in Degler relates to the social scientists rather than the Darwinian revolution, some of ch. 1-2 will apply to next week. 
Please note: reading should include piece by Sumner in H&C that was omitted inadvertently. Also my book as supplementary for this week rather than next.
 
*Darwin's work important in several ways:
 
1. as it transformed thinking about religion and society from the 1860s through 1915, it provides a bridge between the first stages of professionalized social scientists ( e.g. William Graham Sumner: see first column of handout) and the reformist sociologists whom Degler discusses. Likewise, in literature it may be seen as bridge from realism of Howells to naturalism of Dreiser, although many other (external" factors also responsible.
 
2. Darwinism has also been perennial source of debate, not only in religious circles (up to an including Creationist Science) , but also sociological (sociobiology). Want to explore history of both
 
I. Darwin in context of related "philosophies" of science." (see HANDOUT: DARWINIAN REVOLUTION)
 
A. POSITIVISM: Comte and American followers
B. SPENCERIANISM
C. DARWINIAN REVOLUTION
 
1. Theory of evolution related to on-going changes in biology and related sciences
 
a. geology
b. physics
c biology
d. pre-Darwinian Evolutionism
e. Darwin's theory: what he could explain and what not. Unanswered questions. Final emergence of "modern synthesis" in 1920.
 
2. New conception of "science"
 
I. Baconianism
2. Darwin's strategies
 
* major points (contra received wisdom: Darwinian Revolution very gradual and incomplete, not only because of unanswered questions and skepticism in scientific community, but because of resistance in U.S. from variety of non-scientific sources
 
for writing of Darwin and Wallace see: http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/History/Darwinism.html
 
 
II. Darwin and Religion.
 
revisionist view based largely on Moore, Post-Darwinian controversies. Three major points: (1) mid century Christianity not anti-scientific but had worked out often elaborate as accommodations with Baconian "science (2) although Darwin welcomes by many "liberal" (i.e. rational) Christians, they accepted him by sanitizing him, essentially eliminating "natural selection: much as Spencer had done, a version that some historians call Darwiniticism, combining Darwin and romanticism; and (3) a fuller appreciation in fact came from those closer to Calvinist end of the political spectrum.
 
**discussion of Hodge in Hollinger and Capper in this light
 
III. Social Darwinism
 
*how does Degler handle in chapter 1? Can/should we go further. Standard version in R. Hofstadter Social Darwinism in American Thought (1944) vs. Bannister, Social Darwinism (1979). Hofstadter restated for te Nineties in : Hawkins, Mike, Social Darwinism in European and American thought, 1860-1945 : nature as model and nature as threat. (Cambridge [England] ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1997). Thesis in Bannister: : term social Darwinism one of opprobrium which not literally true of those to whom it applied, was and remins effective rhetocial weapon against biological theorizing, as well as a variety of other positions one may not like. (for detailed statement see H47#4Social Darwinism supp. and preface to Bannister, Social Darwinism (1988 edn) at: http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/History/SD.preface.html
 
A. Changing defintions of "social Darwinism."
 
B. the case of B. Indivudualist social Darwinism: fact or myth? William Graham Sumner.
 
C. "Social Darwinism" and progressive reform .
 
Written by Robert Bannister, 1/4/98. Latest 1/28/98. May be reproduced in whole or part for educational purposes, but not copied or distributed for profit.