Final answer:
The 'survival of the fittest' is a concept from evolutionary biology that refers to the organisms best adapted to their environment, which are more likely to survive and reproduce. Herbert Spencer, not Charles Darwin, coined the term, which was misapplied in the concept of social Darwinism to justify colonialism and racism. This misapplication was discredited after it became associated with dubious theories of racial superiority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “survival of the fittest” is often misunderstood. It was coined by Herbert Spencer to describe a form of natural selection within evolutionary biology. This principle does not refer to the 'fittest' in terms of physical strength or speed, but rather to the individuals who are best adapted to their environment. Thus, these organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass their genes on to the next generation.
It is a common misconception that Charles Darwin introduced this term. In contrast to this belief, it was Spencer who related Darwin's concepts to society, which led to the controversial concept of social Darwinism. This ideology was used to justify European colonialism and scientific racism during the 19th century. The notion suggested that human cultures evolve similarly to biological organisms, with 'stronger' traits being selected over time through societal progress or conquest.
In biology, survival of the fittest is related to evolutionary fit, where traits that enhance survival in a specific environment are more likely to be inherited by future generations. This has been historically misapplied to human societal and cultural contexts, suggesting incorrectly that success in these realms reflects inherent biological superiority.
Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism was later discredited, especially after its associations with eugenicists' racial superiority theories became evident. This revealed that many interpretations of 'fittest' ignored external societal factors influencing individual opportunities and success.