It has been argued that the theme of evolution runs through the work of both Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer, perhaps as an attempt to legitimate the new social order. This paper will explore this possibility through commentary on the cultural bias characteristic of .
nineteenth century evolutionary theory, and by citing examples of the evolutionary nature of .
these sociologists" theories of social change. .
The attitudes of the new social order were widespread throughout England and .
France during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These attitudes included a .
justification of middle class dominance at the expense of the lower and working classes. The .
social scientists of this time were middle class and supported the new social order, which .
becomes apparent when the theories of this time are examined. For instance, the nineteenth .
century evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin, which was a compilation of theories of .
sociologists and biologists, had an obvious cultural bias characteristic. .
Darwin's theory spoke of slow, gradual and progressive change, which discourages .
revolutionary thinking and suggests that all change is toward the best possible outcome. .
There is also support for capitalism hidden in the theory, when it speaks of individuals .
competing against each other for their survival. This discourages the lower classes from .
thinking in terms of groups or classes in competition. The evolutionary theory even supports .
male dominance through its discussion of sexual selection, when it refers to the active male .
and the passive female. This cultural bias found throughout the evolutionary theory .
explains why it was widely accepted throughout Europe, despite its scientific flaws of being .
loosely worded and lacking in direct evidence to support itself. .
The evolutionary nature of Auguste Comte's theory of social change also appears to .
be an attempt to legitimate the new social order.
