The importance of understanding Social Darwinism and its flaws

In today's class I brought up social Darwinism to make the point that loose applications of Darwinian thought to spheres of human life may result in dangerous consequences.

It is important to recognize that social Darwinism is now largely debunked and Darwin himself did not advocate any such thing.

Nor could we check our sympathy, even at the urging of hard reason, without deterioration in the noblest part of our nature. The surgeon may harden himself whilst performing an operation, for he knows that he is acting for the good of his patient; but if we were intentionally to neglect the weak and helpless; it could only be for a contingent benefit, with an overwhelming present evil.

- Charles Darwin; The Descent of Man, 1871

If you're interested to know more, do read the wiki entry on Evolution and Ethics