Survival of the Fittest

Survival of the fittest is a phrase used to describe the idea that species adapt and change due to natural selection. Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer had much to do with the realisation of this theory, going into detail in their books, 'Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin, and 'The Principals of Biology' by Herbert Spencer. It is principally stating that the most physically apt and suited to the environment of which it occupies will survive.

This theory is very relevant to the theme of 'nature versus nurture' that I am exploring as it is the reason behind the innate behaviour of humans that I have temporarily adopted for the purpose of this assignment. This hereditary nature is that of competitiveness, aggression, violence, and other similar traits that are seen in society as deplorable. It related to the idea of survival of the fittest because these characteristics were (and, in some cases, are) the way species were able to survive. I relate my concept heavily to the novel by Sir William Golding, 'Lord of the Flies' where the children revert back to their primeval behaviour in order to survive in the wild. Nowadays, these traits aren't needed to the extent they are in the wild, but I am arguing, or suggesting, through my body of work that humans are still born with these traits.