I'm currently reading a book in which the author postulates that Darwin was one of the four major influences in the development of the philosophy of the Nazi party. Specifically, he cites the influence of Social Darwinism as a factor in the creation of death camps. He lists several quotes from Darwin's personal correspondence to support his argument. I must say that assuming they're not taken out of context - it sheds a whole new light on things.
Now here's the question - if what this author states is true - where does that leave the atheists in terms of ethics? I've often seen remarks about religious beliefs being the cause of death and hence, the implication that religion is evil. Yet, Darwin is much admired - and now it seems that his ideas may have done as much, or more damage to human life than religion.
This is not to start an argument - I am genuinely puzzled. Is this the first author to draw a correlation between Darwin and Nazi philosophy? If not, then why don't athiests seem to view his work in the same light as they view religion? It would seem both have, at times, created evil.
Debutante
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