Eugenics as a Science
"Eugenics is the study of the agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations either physically or mentally." - Francis Galton (circa 1883)
In 1883, scientist Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin, coined the term for his research into human heredity that would spark a social and political movement: eugenics. Eugenic science was predicated on the idea that traits such as intelligence and morality were inherited, and by selective breeding could be increased or decreased in the population.
"Galton’s eccentric, skeptical, observing, flashing, cavalry-leader type of mind led him eventually to become the founder of the most important, significant and, I would add, genuine branch of sociology which exists, namely eugenics." - John Maynard Keynes. "Eugenics Review" (1946)
“With savages, the weak in body or mind are soon eliminated; and those that survive commonly exhibit a vigorous state of health. We civilized men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination; we build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed, and the sick; we institute poor-laws; and our medical men exert their utmost skill to save the life of every one to the last moment…Hence we must bear without complaining the undoubtedly bad effects of the weak surviving and propagating their kind; but there appears to be at least one check in steady action, namely the weaker and inferior members of society not marrying so freely as the sound; and this check might be indefinitely increased, though this is more to be hoped for than expected, by the weak in body or mind refraining from marriage.” - Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, 1871 |