The Theory of Evolution is Racism

Just to settle the matter of genetic fallacy – I am not suggesting that my opponent's entire argument, that the Theory of Evolution is racist, is a genetic fallacy. The fallacy exists in his allusion that its use by extremist groups, such as a Nazi regime under Hitler and the eugenics movement, makes it inherently racist. The quote provided were not a reflection of understanding; they were racist propaganda provided by politically motivated groups. Hitler's argument that Evolution states that some races are superior, the same argument my opponent now makes, is based on a flawed and politically motivated understanding of evolutionary theory. Again, while my opponent makes broad statements about the implications of evolutionary pressures on a dog he ignores the larger issue. A dog that is adapted and genetically superior for one particular climate or environment is not well adapted for all such climates. As a result, the canine world is a perfect example; there is a vast spectrum of sub-species of dogs. Each sub-species is well adapted for its environment but may not be so well adapted for a different environment. Evolutionary theory does not declare one sub-species of dog, or man, superior. Dominance and social interactions between dogs, as with people, is not the domain of evolutionary theory. My opponent has decided to interject an irrelevant and previously unmentioned topic into his final round of debate, the existence of other competing theories on the origins of life. Our debate is not which theory for explaining the biodiversity of our planet has greater scientific merit or is more morally acceptable by society. If my opponent wishes to debate this later, he may challenge me to such a debate, however that is not the topic here. The only argument my opponent has made is that advocates for Evolution are all truly racist and lie about this fact to avoid social conflict. His argument is that "most individuals with a significant understanding of Evolutionary Theory have used it to arrive at very [racist] views." However, he provides no sources to justify this argument. There is no evidence of a majority of people who subscribe to Evolutionary Theory, essentially all of the established scientific community of our modern society, harboring racist agendas. As evidence he offers the fact that known racist groups and known racists have attempted to justify their racism with science, but similar groups such as the KKK have attempted to justify their racist propaganda with religious arguments – are we therefore to assume that Christianity is therefore racist? No, this argument, like the one my opponent is faulty and based on attacking the actions of group that adopt a philosophy on the philosophy itself on the basis of logic. I would offer as a counter argument that only those who have an extremely narrow understanding of the Theory of Evolution could arrive at the notion that it is a racist theory. The Theory of Evolution does not at all imply superiority of sub-sequent species. In fact, modern Evolutionary Theory documents a multitude of ways in which a previous species and its descendants may interact. Many of these interactions are symbiotic, some do not interact at all, sometimes an older species dies out, but this is not because the new species is superior. Evolutionary theory also documents the types of things that bring about genetic change; some occurs naturally as a part of genetic drift, others occur when something divides a population (such as the melting of the Bering Ice Bridge), some occur when a population enters a new habitat that is isolated or removed, and some occur when a species enters an adjacent habitat. Sometimes a population interbreeds with this new mutation or change spreads throughout the entire population, other times this change enters into an isolated section of the population resulting in two entirely separate sub-species. Again, an insightful reader will notice that there is no mention of superiority of species. In fact, it is again not in Evolutionary Theory that we find any justification for even assumed dominance over another species; we merely find a scientific theory for explaining biodiversity. My opponent has repeatedly shown no evidence to suggest that the Theory of Evolution is racist. He has, however, attempted to twist the Theory of Evolution beyond its scope and definition to seem racist. The Theory of Evolution was not born out of racism and it certainly did not create racism which has existed throughout all of recorded history. The Theory of Evolution is merely a scientific endeavor with no political or social motivations of its own. It is for these reasons that you should vote CON. Thank you.