How far is Shaw's Theory of Creative Evolution Different from Darwin's theory of Evolution?

At the age of Shaw, people were greatly influenced by the thought and theory of Darwin. In his "The Origin of the Species" Darwin expressed his view about Creative Evolution of mankind and this thought was prevailed in the mind of man without any debate But Shaw, a great rationalist thought a new and gave a different outlook about creative Evolution of mankind and this thought was prevailed in the mind of man without any debate. Shaw's idea about Creative Evolution is present in one of his greatest plays, Man and Superman.

Shaw's Theory of Creative Evolution:

Darwin propounds the theory that no species remain the same from generation to generation. Changes occur and therefore they are transformed into new species. Darwin's theory of Natural selection reveals the idea that man is the creature of circumstances and has no control over his evolution. A struggle is going on in nature in which survival is only for the fittest. It means when there occurs a change in environment the creatures who adapt themselves survive and the others perish. All these ideas are refuted by Shaw with great emphasis and arguments.

Shaw's Creative Evolution reveals the idea that man is not the creation of circumstances rather man can control his evolution. He believes in selective breeding by which a man of superhuman quality can be produced. In this respect, Shaw also differs from Plato who thought a superman can be created through education. Shaw says that it is only possible through selective breeding where a man of high quality will contact a vital woman and their mutual mating can make a superman. In Man and Superman Shaw proves this through the decision of Ann. Ann chooses Tanner, as he is rich and strong both physically. On the other hand, Ann rejects Octavius who, she thinks, will make her happy but won't be a good father for the children. It is only Tanner who is able to be her husband. Ann says:

"I believe in the life to come. A father! a father! for the superman."

This type of idea is in stark contrast with that of Darwin. Again, Darwin believed that environment plays a vital role in directing the course of evolution. But According to Shaw, environment is the creation of life and evolution takes place when an organism has a strong desire for improvement. This upward striving of the will is dynamic and creative. Therefore it is not right that man has no purpose in life. Man himself is one of the experiments of life force, as Don Juan says:

"Life is force which has made innumerable experiments in organizing itself, the mammoth and the man............ are all more or less successful attempts to build up the new force into higher and higher individuals."

Shaw's Creative Evolution is based not only on biological perspective but also on economic and social values. He thought that there is a disease and poverty. The poor are miserable and wretched but no individual is villain. Rather, it is the society as a whole, more specifically, the idle and the rich, which is responsible for the abject condition of human being. In this way, Shaw portrays the real picture of society. Ann gives priority to the wealth of Tanner. And social values are important, as Shaw think that a woman should marry superior to him so that a superman can evolve. In Man and Superman Ann rightly seeks after those values.

To Shaw, Life Force is the only reality, all else is merely circumstantial and unreal. Many of our social institutions and tradition are unreal and they impede the works of life force. Sex is merely a biological instinct and it must serve the purpose of the life Force and thus he denies all the romance and sentiment. To evolve a superman, sex should be directed in purpose, not only to meet the biological need. Only then man will be able to control over his evolution.

Shaw emerged himself with a man of new vision, new outlook and new philosophical thought, which tremendously influenced the people of his age and of the next generation. His theory of Creative Evolution has remarkable coherence, though it has some weaknesses. Shaw conceives of matter as different from Life Force but does not tell what the origin of matter is. As every theory has its limitation, Shaw's theory is also not above criticism. Yet, Shaw appears to be unique and original in conveying his message in Man and Superman.