Applied Eugenics

by Paul Popenoe, Roswell Hill Johnson

This book has been professionally retyped and reformatted to fit modern day standards by officials of the Portuguese Institute of Higher Studies in Geopolitics and Auxiliary Sciences. ***The science of eugenics consists of a foundation of biology and a superstructure of sociology. Galton, its founder, emphasized both parts in due proportion. Until recently, however, most sociologists have been either indifferent or hostile to eugenics, and the science has been left for the most part in the hands of biologists, who have naturally worked most on the foundations and neglected the superstructure. Although we are not disposed to minimize the importance of the biological part, we think it desirable that the means of applying the biological principles should be more carefully studied. The reader of this book will, consequently, find only a summary explanation of the mechanism of inheritance. Emphasis has rather been laid on the practical means by which society may encourage the reproduction of superior persons and discourage that of inferiors.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History

488 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2007

About the author

1888-

Reviews

[Brian Huskie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm fascinated with scientific attempts to explain culture and race throughout history. I don't think we spend enough time talking about scientific consensus on race a hundred years ago or less, and what the implications are for 1) the social issues of today, and 2)our absolute faith in today's popular scientific notions.

[Brian Gillum · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written at a time when genetics was in its infancy and eugenics was mainly a pseudo science used to justify draconian policies against races, ethnicities, the poor, the disabled and others.

What is sad is that even though much of the rubbish has since been debunked the adherents of racial superiority and other such still cling to the theories professed here.

[Ryan Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historically this is a fascinating read. Written at a time when ideas to better society through reproduction where wide spread and considered credible. Recommend to better understand ideas that are intertwined with WWII and perhaps the inspiration of Huxley's Brave New World

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really know how to rate this book-- from a social justice standpoint, it's a horrifying text. But it's well-written and well-argued. I'm using it as a resource for my next novel about the eugenics movement.

[Yi Chen Chong]

I dislike the ideas of Roswell Hill Johnson, as I do not believe they are practical.