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Eugenics and Other Evils

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Eugenics and Other Evils

By: G. K. Chesterton
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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About this listen

During the first three decades of the 20th 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."

Public Domain (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics World Socialism
All stars
Most relevant  
Good except for the anti-Puritan/Calvinsm comments. The critique of eugenics is sound. But since the really fundamental issue is the materialist worldview, it would have been good to hear more of a critique of that.

Relevant

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To think that Eugenics is still alive and well today in the form of Planned Parenthood whose founder Margaret Sanger was a more than vocal proponent. This book needs to be part of school curriculums as a handbook which helps one to understand how the road to a futuristic utopian, transhumanist society is paved with good and questionable intentions but is utterly evil in the application.

Amazingly current for today

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Fantastic book, and much deeper/broader than just a discussion of biological eugenics - it tackles the Industrial Revolution, rampant capitalism, socialism, the quiet dignity of simple family and honest work, the myopic and cynical views of progressive social reformers, the perversion of work, the potential decimation of liberty, with very deep reflections on culture and humanity beset my Scientism and hubris of social engineering. Very well written and up there with other great GSK works like Orthodoxy and Heretics.

Prescient and Poignant (and about mich more than biological eugenics)

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