We know that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is accepted by natural scientists. It describes how biological systems spontaneously evolve by the mechanism of natural selection. But is a similar spontaneous evolution taking place in areas of social construction and cultural behaviour? Friedrich von Hayek argues that this is the case. He underlines the complexity of the social systems and gives an historic overview reaching all the way back to Aristotle. As well as comparing and contrasting the mechanisms of natural and social evolution, and outlining the role of social evolution in the development and maintenance of civilisation.