A Social Darwinist and Conservative in thought, Sumner worked continuously in charting the evolution of human customs, folkways and mores. He believed that these forces, developed naturally through the course of evolution, made any attempts for social reform useless.

What does William Graham Sumner believe?

William Graham Sumner became a leading proponent of Social Darwinism, arguing that the wealthy were rich because of natural selection and argued that their wealth was a social service. Sumner argued that hereditary wealth allowed the fittest to pass on their virtues to children.

What did William Graham Sumner believe about imperialism?

Thus, in his mind, Sumner thought imperialism and foreign intervention were ultimately based upon racism. What had begun as domestic racism had morphed into foreign racism and imperialism, or what he called “the Spanish doctrine.”

Why does Sumner defend those who are wealthy?

Sumner was unabashed in his admiration for millionaires, and indignant at criticism lobbed in their direction. “The rich are good-natured,” he insisted, model citizens to be applauded for their initiative and patience with lesser souls.

Why did Sumner support laissez-faire?

William Graham Sumner’s A Defense of Laissez-Faire contained ideas many corporate leaders supported. Sumner explained that the government should not help the poor otherwise it would cause a decline in social progress. In addition to the Laissez-faire policy, Sumner also touched on social Darwinism.

How did William Graham Sumner define liberty?

William Graham Sumner. October 30, 1840 — April 12, 1910. “Civil liberty is the status of the man who is guaranteed by law and civil institutions the exclusive employment of all his own powers for his own welfare.” – W. G. Sumner.

What are mores according to Sumner?

Sumner coined the term mores to refer to norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance. Mores are often seen as taboos; for example, most societies hold the more that adults not engage in sexual relations with children.

Was William Graham Sumner an imperialist?

Sumner was an important member of the Anti-Imperialist League which campaigned against the rise of American imperialism in the late 1890s.

How does Sumner understand the importance of critical thinking in life and in education?

The critical faculty is a product of education and training. It is a mental habit and power. It is a prime condition of human welfare that men and women should be trained in it. It is our only guarantee against delusion, deception, superstition, and misapprehension of ourselves and our earthly circumstances.

How does William Sumner define ethnocentrism?

Ethnocentrism is a belief that the norms, values, ideology, customs, and traditions of ones own culture or subculture are superior to those characterizing other cultural settings. The term was coined by William Graham Sumner in his Folkways (1906) and has long served as a cornerstone in the social analysis of culture.

How does Sumner understand the importance of critical thinking in life and in education?

The critical faculty is a product of education and training. It is a mental habit and power. It is a prime condition of human welfare that men and women should be trained in it. It is our only guarantee against delusion, deception, superstition, and misapprehension of ourselves and our earthly circumstances.

What did William Graham Sumner believe was the aim of humanitarians and reformers quizlet?

By William Graham Sumner – believed the aim of humanitarians and reformers was to focus on the interests of the poor above all other groups. Sumner believed that to focus effort on the suffering of the lower classes unfairly implied criticism of the hard work and determination of those who were successful.

How do Sumner and Carnegie differ?

William Graham Sumner felt that there should be no government aid for the poor and that reforms to help the weak only hindered progress to a better society. Carnegie was a staunch believer in philanthropy and explained how charity can be used to promote the evolution toward a world of peach and plenty.