E is incorrect because it claims that the passage introduces a general scientific theory and then clarifies one writer's version of that theory. This would mean that the passage introduced Darwin's theory of evolution and then clarified it by presenting Gilman's version of the theory of evolution. However, we know that Gilman is a social theorist, not a scientist. The passage tells us that "Darwin's theory of evolution did not directly apply to social ideology, but various intellectuals translated his ideas of natural selection into social language" (lines 6 to 8) and that Gilman "applied evolutionary theory in the movement for social change" (lines 22 to 23). In this way, Gilman did not develop her own version of the theory of evolution; rather, she applied the theory of evolution to social interactions and used the results to campaign for social change.
B claims that the passage describes the role played [campaigning for social change] by a particular writer [Gilman] in an intellectual controversy [Social Darwinism] over the consequences of a scientific theory [the theory of evolution] and is, therefore, the correct answer.
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
tomgbeanon December 30, 2019
Can social darwinism be categorized as a scientific theory?
Victoriaon July 30, 2020
Hi @tomgbean,
Social Darwinism is a social theory that is informed by a scientific theory i.e. the theory of evolution. This is part of the reason why answer choice (E) is incorrect.
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
