Question

1. darwin’s extremely important theory of evolution held that human beings had evolved from more primitive life - forms. evolution depends on \survival of the fittest\ - only the strongest and most adaptable animals in a species survive to pass on their genes.

andrew carnegie took this idea and distorted it by applying it to economics and society. in his 1889 essay, \the gospel of wealth,\ carnegie argued that free - market economics would allow the strongest companies to survive, and that the smartest, most hardworking people would rise to the top of society. this idea was called social darwinism, and carnegie and others used it to justify the enormous gap between the rich and the poor.
social darwinism was thought to explain that
a. those at the top of society earned their place.
b. humans evolved from more primitive life - forms.
c. the strongest and most adaptable animals survive to pass on their genes.
d. lax economic policies benefit only the poor and middle classes.

Explanation:

The text states Social Darwinism (applied by Carnegie) argued the smartest/hardworking rise to society's top, justifying wealth gaps. This means it explained top-tier people earned their position. Options B and C are Darwin's original evolution ideas, not Social Darwinism. Option D contradicts the text (it justified gaps, not benefited poor).

Answer:

A. those at the top of society earned their place.