Darwinism

Overview
Darwinism is a philosophical position which holds that the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection (EbNS or "evolution" for short), which was first published by Charles Darwin in his book The Origin of Species in 1859, is scientifically "true" – i.e. that it is the explanation of species origins which best fits all the available evidence.

Those who hold this position generally do not describe themselves as "Darwinists"; the term was invented as an attack on the theory of evolution by natural selection. The term is intended to make it seem (at least, to an uninformed audience) that this position – which is based on mountains of scientific evidence and has been ruthlessly scrutinized for over a century – is just another ideology or "-ism", and EbNS is nothing more than dogma.

Indeed, the term "Darwinism" is misleading, as it implies some sort of unquestioning fealty to the ideas of Darwin himself. Our understanding of evolution has itself evolved tremendously and indeed has found Darwin's speculations to be incorrect on some relatively minor points. The label "Darwinism" denies even the possibility of such corrections (although Darwin, being a scientist, would likely have embraced these corrections -- and indeed the vast enhancements to his theory which have emerged -- when shown the evidence).

Support
The Darwinian position (i.e. that EbNS is most likely true) is overwhelmingly embraced by the scientific community. It is relentlessly consistent with massive amounts of data collected across multiple scientific disciplines, including anthropology, biology, geology, medicine, and psychology. need to collect more on this

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in light of evolution." – Daniel Dennett

Opposition
Generally, those who agree with EbNS hold that it is not only the best explanation but by far the best explanation, with no other explanation even coming close; there is a wide gap between "Darwinism" and anything else.

Opposition to EbNS comes almost exclusively from creationists. More elaboration needed here, and connect to next paragraph better; out of time...

Those who attack EbNS – by working to prevent schools from teaching it (or at least working to require that their own pseudo-theories should be taught as equally valid), and generally undermining its credibility – by intellectually dishonest means (and frequently just flat-out lying) may be described as anti-Darwinists; they are not attacking the EbNS theory on rational grounds, in a way which might lead to revelation of genuine flaws in the theory, but rather merely as a competing ideology (or even religion) to be beaten into submission by any means necessary.

Related Terms
The ideas behind Darwinism are often confused with other seemingly-similar concepts:
 * survival of the fittest
 * social Darwinism

Reference

 * Survival of the fittest
 * : redirects to Evolutionism as of 2007-09-01
 * separate article from Evolution
 * no article (as of 2007-09-01)
 * no article (as of 2008-05-18); see search
 * no article (as of 2008-05-18); see search

Editorials / Opinion

 * 2006-02-28 Eugenics doesn't work... (2007-09-01 dead link?) Google cache

Projects

 * The Journal of Evolutionary Philosophy: "Dedicated to promoting the theory of evolution as a solid foundation upon which to build a meaningful philosophy of human life" (thus helping to counter the religionist claim that there can be no meaning to life without God/religion)
 * The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design Review: a chapter-by-chapter reply

Quotes
As someone who is a committed Christian and recently had to resign my position teaching high-school biology because the school administration began officially teaching ID, I get very tired of the mentions of Darwinism and Darwinists by that side. It is a not-so-subtle way of framing the discussion in terms of religion – putting an â€œismâ€ and an â€œistâ€ on the end makes people start thinking of it as a philosophy which can be debated with other philosophies, or even better, a religion. Yes, all of who accept evolution also accept Darwinâ€™s thoughts on it, for the most part, and therefore could be called â€œDarwinistsâ€. But I resist the label, as it is the same path as the West labeling the Other as Buddhism, Mohammedism, etc. Itâ€™s the idea that Christianity is the one true faith, and any faith we want to denigrate, we put an â€œismâ€ at the end. Adding that suffix turns evolution into a religion to be debated on those grounds. Then, if enough of the laymen hear this term, they begin to think it must be religious, because obviously, it has ism at the end. I have half a mind, next time Iâ€™m asked â€œAre you a Darwinist?â€ to respond that Iâ€™m not familiar with the term. â€œBut are you a stupidist believer in troglodytism?â€