Survival of the fittest?

Question

Given that evolution of species is to enure the survival of the fittest and ensure only the best possible genes are past on, why do we help handicapped people? They do not benefit our society or species.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

One word, "humanity".

There is no longer a need for self preservation in human culture, humans are top of the food chain with no natural predators.

As a species, humans no longer sacrifice the weak to keep the herd strong, this results in disabled people and old people living longer than say an old or disabled deer which would perish quickly in the wild.

Some would say its the reason humans are the most dominant species on the planet.

Yea, sure, Stephen Hawkings has done the world wonders, but at the same time, I think a lack of natural predators has slowly allowed humans to bring this planet to the brink of destruction.

Humans are so far removed from the natural order of things that mother nature herself is having trouble containing the species.

To answer your question, "survival of the fittest" is no longer an issue for humans, that is why disabled people are cared for.

For humans the concern is more a question of "what species will be destroyed next, so the population can rise from 6 billion to 7?"

So is that one word really just a word, or is it something far more sinister?

Answer 3

Because not everyone is as shallow and selfish as you seem to be.

Answer 4

Im assumeing your joking

Answer 5

Group cooperation that includes the disabled results in many accomplishments, such as the works of physicist Stephen Hawking. So you see, we can benefit as a species from the handicapped. Meanwhile, Dr, Hawking does not appear likely to have children, so his defective genes will pass with him.

Answer 6

Yeah, heard that one before.

Round about 70 years ago, n**i policy - ring any bells?

One of the marks of a civilised society is the caring for minorities.

And how do you know they don't benefit our society or species? Know them all, do you?

Answer 7

The development of civilisation is based on co-operation and altruism, that is, performing acts for the benefit of others, not oneself, in order to further the survival of species over self. Part of that altruism is in taking care of those weaker members of the species.

There is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word 'fit' in the expression 'survival of the fittest'. It does not mean 'fittest' as in 'strongest', but 'fittest' as in 'most apt'.

Answer 8

oh dear god.. haha

you crack me up..

ok lets wait until your crippeled from an unavoidable accident and lets watch you beg for help when you need it but instead you get a swift bolt in your head to kill you

Answer 9

I disagree. I think we should kill every moron that obviously has an inadequate amount of brain cells like YOU display; that way the human race will progress a lot quicker and that way we will not pass on the stupid gene.

Answer 10

Don't they ?  Ever heard of Stephen Hawking ?  Look him up and you'll realise how completely and utterly stupid you sound.

Answer 11

Assuming that you're serious, that might be an interesting question to consider.

Evolution is to ensure the survival of the fittest, yes, but we can't say what is considered "fit" or not. Kindness and compassion are wonderful tools for humans to have in the grand scheme of evolution, because we want to impress upon others our ability to work together. That is an evolutionary trait.

Being handicapped is a complex condition. What parts are handicapped and why? Also, you're assuming that we naturally DO help the handicapped. I'm afraid that's not always been the case.

If I'm not mistaken, the current belief is that we should take care of everyone, regardless of condition. If nothing else, it's a good investment in our future. The genetic information of those that are handicapped is not as black and white as you seem to believe it is: the nuances of the human genome are almost infinite.

Answer 12

Personally i do not see why we cannot use the evolution of science to ensure these people live comfortable and enjoyable lives as much as every other person has the right to do.

Really, what you're saying, to use the words of a very famous man is that:

"I do not see why man should not be just as cruel as nature”

Thats what you're saying... right?

Well Adolph Hitler said that.

Answer 13

we dont actually use the word handicap in relation to people

since it came about when the disabled had to go cap in

hand for food because they could not work.