Other editions of book Eugenics and Other Evils

When the concept of eugenics -- the practice of selecting for desirable traits in the larger population by encouraging gifted and/or attractive people to breed -- began to take hold in the early twentieth century, British thinker and writer G.K. Chesterton took a stance contrary to that of many intellectuals of the period and denounced it as evil in this bold, engaging series of essays.

When the concept of eugenics -- the practice of selecting for desirable traits in the larger population by encouraging gifted and/or attractive people to breed -- began to take hold in the early twentieth century, British thinker and writer G.K. Chesterton took a stance contrary to that of many intellectuals of the period and denounced it as evil in this bold, engaging series of essays.

When the concept of eugenics -- the practice of selecting for desirable traits in the larger population by encouraging gifted and/or attractive people to breed -- began to take hold in the early twentieth century, British thinker and writer G.K. Chesterton took a stance contrary to that of many intellectuals of the period and denounced it as evil in this bold, engaging series of essays.

During the first three decades of the twentieth century, eugenics, the scientific control of human breeding, was a popular cause within enlightened and progressive segments of the English-speaking world. The New York Times eagerly supported it, gushing about the wonderful ''new science.'' Prominent scientists, such as the plant biologist Luther Burbank, were among its most enthusiastic supporters. And the Carnegie and Rockefeller foundations generously funded eugenic research intended to distinguish the 'fit' from the 'unfit.' This prophetic volume counters the intellectual nihilism of Nietzsche, while simultaneously rebuking Western notions of progress -- biological or otherwise. Chesterton expands his criticism of eugenics into what he calls ''a more general criticism of the modern craze for scientific officialism and strict social organization.''

When the concept of eugenics -- the practice of selecting for desirable traits in the larger population by encouraging gifted and/or attractive people to breed -- began to take hold in the early twentieth century, British thinker and writer G.K. Chesterton took a stance contrary to that of many intellectuals of the period and denounced it as evil in this bold, engaging series of essays.

During the first three decades of the twentieth century, eugenics, the scientific control of human breeding, was a popular cause within enlightened and progressive segments of the English-speaking world. The New York Times eagerly supported it, gushing about the wonderful "new science." Prominent scientists, such as the plant biologist Luther Burbank, were among its most enthusiastic supporters. And the Carnegie and Rockefeller foundations generously funded eugenic research intended to distinguish the 'fit' from the 'unfit.’ This prophetic volume counters the intellectual nihilism of Nietzsche, while simultaneously rebuking Western notions of progress—biological or otherwise. Chesterton expands his criticism of eugenics into what he calls “a more general criticism of the modern craze for scientific officialism and strict social organization.” Table of Contents TO THE READER PART I Chapter I What Is Eugenics? Chapter II The First Obstacles Chapter III The Anarchy From Above Chapter IV The Lunatic and the Law Chapter V The Flying Authority Chapter VI The Unanswered Challenge Chapter VII The Established Church Of Doubt Chapter VIII A Summary Of A False Theory PART II THE REAL AIM Chapter I The Impotence Of Impenitence Chapter II True History of a Tramp Chapter III True History of a Eugenist Chapter IV The Vengeance of the Flesh Chapter V The Meanness of the Motive Chapter VI The Eclipse of Liberty Chapter VII The Transformation of Socialism Chapter VIII The End of the Household Gods Chapter IX A Short Chapter

*This Book is annotated (it contains a detailed biography of the author). *An active Table of Contents has been added by the publisher for a better customer experience. *This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errors.George Bernard Shaw said of G.K. Chesterton "he was a man of colossal genius"-- he most certainly was. But Chesterton was beyond intelligent. He was wise.That is, he had a firm grasp on human nature. He represented the absolute best side of cynicism and while he may have been a cynic, Chesterton was not a pessimist.His social commentary was priceless, not to mention way ahead of its time. Chesterton was the one of the only voices at the time to speak out against eugenics; certainly he was the only voice who spoke loudly.It is simultaneously frightening, amusing, and enlightening how much the world of today is like the world of yesterday. So many of the issues he grapples with here (personal liberty, the state, socialism etc.) -- are the same issues we face today.