The expression “survival of the fittest” is so closely linked to Darwinism that many mistakenly attribute it to Charles Darwin himself. However, this phrase was popularized by his contemporary Herbert Spencer. Nonetheless, it holds an element of truth. In On the Origin of Species, Darwin stressed competition as a key driver of evolution, shaped by the environments in which organisms develop.

Darwin characterized nature as a fierce battle for survival, not merely because he believed this to be true, but to resonate with an audience influenced by the era’s imperialistic and industrial narratives. During this time, thinkers like Thomas Malthus and Thomas Hobbes painted humanity as innately competitive and ruthless. Darwin’s critique of this viewpoint was valid. Over time, Darwinism has been misused to rationalize humanity’s darker actions.

Yet, viewing Darwin’s theories through alternative lenses can be enlightening. Even before the term “ecology” was introduced, Darwin recognized the importance of interconnectedness in natural systems. This perspective might hold keys to unraveling one of science’s biggest enigmas: the origin of life itself.

A promising pathway to elucidating how life emerged from non-life draws on concepts from microbiologist Carl Woese. He proposed that life likely evolved within a co-culture, consisting of loosely interconnected molecules.

Intriguingly, contemporary research indicates that essential elements and processes of life—including metabolism and genetic coding for proteins—can arise spontaneously through chemical reactions. Rather than perceiving life as a solitary victor emerging from “some warm little pond” (a phrase coined by Darwin), it may be more accurate to say that cooperation has been foundational to life’s development from its inception.