From Darwin to Hitler

[Damascus]

In his book, From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics, and Racism in Germany (2004), Richard Weikart explains the revolutionary impact Darwinism had on ethics and morality. Darwinism played a key role in the rise not only of eugenics (a movement wanting to control human reproduction to improve the human species), but also on euthanasia, infanticide, abortion, and racial extermination. This was especially important in Germany, since Hitler built his view of ethics on Darwinian principles. Series: "Voices"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...99411137186951

[thaddeus]

He based his beliefs on flawed misinterpretations of Darwinism.

Like a terrorist basing his actions on a perverted version of Islam.

[Damascus]

He based his beliefs on flawed misinterpretations of Darwinism.

Like a terrorist basing his actions on a perverted version of Islam.

oh so you watched the lecture then? I thought it was interesting and he gave a good account on the links from Darwin theories and white supremacy over all the other races. I didn't find it based on flawed misinterpretations of Darwinism.

[thaddeus]

Early on (early 20th century I think) Darwinism did lead to the concept that certain races were biologically inferior to others. Whilst those taking things out of context tend to focus on the whites being considered the end point of evolution (the end point itself being a misinterpretation of evolution) they tend to ignore the fact that even within white European nations the races were considered distinct and separate (ie French and Englishmen being different biological races).

Evolution is an ongoing process that hasn't finished. There is no end point. In addition, there is no allele (gene type) that is unique to any so-called 'race', which is defined more by shared heritage and culture than real biological differences.

In the past (and to a lesser extent the present) those who misunderstood the principle of evolution may have tried to apply it for political purposes (perhaps most notably, Hitler aside, the American mass sterilisation of immigrants who failed IQ tests in English (not their first language)). But that makes no sense. What advantage is being blonde? None whatsoever. Even skin colour has a variable and mild advantage. Whites make more vitamin D with sunlight, but blacks are less likely to get skin cancer.

Also, I didn't see the video...my computer's gone a bit senile and dislikes videos at the moment. I'm basing my comments on racial psychology (evolution meets racists in the early decades of Darwin's discoveries) I learnt about at university.

[tristran]

Maybe the theory of evolution did inspire hitler but;

Without Atomic theory there would have been no atom bomb

The theory of electromagnetism led to the creation of electric chairs and stun guns.

The theory of gravity was used to predict where a canon ball or other projectile would fall, thus making those weapons more deadly.

Without knowledge of the theory of relativity, satellite guidance systems for missiles would be even less accurate.

Germ theory inspired biological weapons.


The scientists who developed these theories aren't to blame for people who come along later and misuse them

[xris]

Maybe the theory of evolution did inspire hitler but;

Without Atomic theory there would have been no atom bomb

The theory of electromagnetism led to the creation of electric chairs and stun guns.

The theory of gravity was used to predict where a canon ball or other projectile would fall, thus making those weapons more deadly.

Without knowledge of the theory of relativity, satellite guidance systems for missiles would be even less accurate.

Germ theory inspired biological weapons.


The scientists who developed these theories aren't to blame for people who come along later and misuse them

what about burgers you forgot them aaa.