Eugenics and Other Evils

By: G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

Truly Great!

This is one of the best G.K. Chesterton audiobooks here on Audible. This is true for 2 reasons. First Mr. Chesterton shares here some of his best insights, and secondly Derek Perkins does a superb job bringing those insights to life! This is certainly one of my favorite audiobooks, and with that, I say thank you Audible for offering it here!

So Many Parallels

this book provides so much insight I can hardly believe it was written almost one hundred years ago. Much like Mein Kampf, the writing slices away at modernity with a double edged sword. As America grows and swells, the people are groaning for a savior. Hopefully this book can help lead someone to Christ because it draws heavily from truths in the Bible.

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.

Not what I was expecting

I was looking for a historical work on the wrongs that were committed in the name of eugenics like Edwin Black's War Against the Weak, but I found this book that is included for audible members. It takes a moralistic stand against the government overreach that was occurring in the name of unproven science that was supposed to make society better by forcing the uneducated to sacrifice for the greater good. Some of the arguments were so applicable to today that I had to double check that it really was written 100 years ago. The titular "other evils" are both capitalism and socialism, both anarchy and totalitarianism. While this moderate view is bound to bother modern readers on both sides of the political spectrum, I find the arguments interesting and worthy of consideration.

Never more timely

If you don't know the history of the Eugenics movement, and how it swept through academia more than 100 years ago, snaring even Karl Pearson into promoting the idea of Ubermensch, you won't find a funnier introduction to an idea that killed 100 million people than this book.
To fully understand the irony of the current wave of racism, you really need to start with that silly syphilitic Nietzsche, and work your way through Hitler and Rand to our current little titans.
Or, you could read this book. Sort of the Cliff Notes to the devolution of a stupid idea. Clear thinking about how evil people can be when their self-serving biases make them think they are doing good. With jokes.

Not for me

I suppose it's partially my fault for not doing a deeper dive into Chesterton, but I just couldn't get into this. I saw eugenics and said "THAT'S FOR MEEEEE!". As a history buff/ww2 junkie, I was anticipating more of a fact-based historical listen or in the very least a poignant memoir from someone who experienced eugenics first-hand, but this is, in fact, more of a social allegory. Chesterton weighs in on the moral dangers of eugenics and other harmful practices of days gone by. Totally agree this narrative is indeed still quite relevant as we humans never seem to reflect on the past and learn from our mistakes, but 5 hours of a man communicating in turn of the century english about the follies of "modern science" etc, etc, just felt taxing to me. I felt a bit like I was being preached to, which, being an atheist who was raised conservative southern baptist, I think it's pretty fair to say I've put in the time and have a fairly sold stance on the horrible atrocities committed throughout history, many i might add were carried out under the guise of religious justification (Spanish Inquisition anyone? Salem witch trials? the Crusades? the Gulf war perhaps?). Regardless, this will no doubt be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a moral/spiritual approach to some of the shameful acts we humans once considered progressive and socially acceptable. No disrespect whatsoever for those whose perspectives differ from my own... I share the same feelings of disgust, but to anyone considering giving this a shot, be sure to sample to make sure it's your cup of tea :)

Powerful and Prescient

Chesterton foretells the future realities generated by eugenics and
related anti human ideas.
It helped me to understand the seeds
of thought that have grown into the toxic tree thriving in the West.
It is beautifully written and performed.

Great Reas

Chesterton is fantastic. So clear and to-the-point. Brilliant in his turn-of-phrase and his manner of tearing down awful ideas.

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.

Couldn’t get into it.

I was expecting more of a book about examples of eugenics through history more than what this
Is. The first half of the book is bizarre.

Prescient

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.

Great job

clearly read. interesting and classic philosophy book. would recommend this version to new readers.

Really very waffly

This book doesn't stick closely enough to the issues of eugenics to be worth your time. It lacks self awareness, paints various groups of people with broad brushes, waffles alot dispite dismaying about other styles of waffle and has increadabley old views on the nature of humans, biology, thiology, sociology and sciance in general, so much so, that this book just isn't valuable in learning about the issue of eugenics. This book's only real use now is as record of historical opinion.

Really interesting , really good

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.

Superb

Excellent reading for the lifelong learners and the ageless polymath students of all subjects

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

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

Good read

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.