Eugenics and Other Evils

By: G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

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.

Eugenics at it's midpoint

A logical and philosophical argument against Eugenics. I found this work valuable and relative to where the US political social structure is heading, or at, today; c.2022

Surprisingly Relevant

Although Chesterton is riddled with some of the flaws of his time - especially in his perspective on other races - in most other respects he is filled with wisdom and addresses a philosophy which still threatens us today. Great performance as well.

A still relevant topic in the current year

While Chesterton suffers from some from being very much a man of his time and place, he still lays out eloquent and well-reasoned arguments for his rallying against eugenics and other social ills.

Prescient thoughts and logic

I tend to appreciate Chesterton’s thinking and really enjoy his fiction. This work is a wonderful insight into the thoughts and arguments against both early capitalism and early socialism. Interestingly, while I often hear Chesterton quotes from the political right, he’s no friendlier to the capitalist than to the Marxist. Of all his books this does highlight the problematic way in which Chesterton addresses ethnicity and race. While I don’t view him as outright anti-Semitic or racist as some do, he certainly is at best a product of his time. Granted that, the book’s primary logic about the oppression of the poor and disenfranchised by the rich, is apt for our world and the turmoil therein.

Remarkably relevant

It always takes me a while to absorb any GKC writings. He was brilliant and witty, but his style of writing is very different than most of today's writers. I appreciate his sharp criticism of eugenics and socialism. This book was published in 1922 when eugenics was popular and promoted by many elites, but before Hitler's widespread practice of the philosophy.

While the book is 100 years old, it remains relevant.