Part One: Francis Galton: Inventor of Eugenics
Summary
Hosts Dave and Christopher Bell introduce Francis Galton, the Victorian scientist who invented eugenics and modern statistical concepts like correlation. The episode traces Galton’s upbringing in a wealthy, Quaker family and his early medical training, highlighting how his privileged background and exposure to 19th-century prejudices shaped his worldview. The hosts discuss the historical context of scientific racism, noting how Galton’s work laid the groundwork for later ideologies of white supremacy despite his contributions to legitimate science.
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