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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 Inspiring Socialism
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I am new to Chesterton and have not read his books, and also somehow missed this was written in the 1920s. athe book felt writtem in the 1980s (I know he was long dead, it just felt recent) it was anyway written as a warning for the 20th century. We can easily take it as a warning into the 21st century. Heaven help us though, here we are 100 years on in the same pickle. Will humanity ever listen and learn. Probably not, but this book will explain a lot of what you feel and notice anyhow. I'm enthused by Chesterton and will definitely listen o more. Fantastic book. Interesting for the newbie and the newly awake, in determining the world around us and understanding it.

Really interesting , really good

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I enjoyed the narration and it is engaging. Eugenics is definitely mentioned but speaks of other evils more than I would personally like. Will listen to it again and speaks of a different time which is interesting and speaks of men he interviewed as eugenics scientists and politicians.

Good read

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Well researched, well written and well read. I would recommend this to anybody wishing to expand their knowledge.

A must read, as its going on today ....

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Interesting insight into what was going on & the reflections & thoughts of post WW1 / early 1920s. Especially considering the later events of 20th Century.

Interesting insight into thinking 100 years ago

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GK saw the evil fruit in the seed and tried to warn us. We did not listen. Now we are living in a world with a de facto eugenic mentality.

Prescient

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