Part Three: Francis Galton: Inventor of Eugenics
Summary
This episode of Behind the Bastards continues its deep dive into Francis Galton, the inventor of eugenics and the "nature versus nurture" concept. The hosts analyze Galton’s flawed 1874 study on scientific genius, highlighting how he ignored evidence of environmental influence to support his belief in hereditary superiority. They also explore how Galton’s ideology provided secular justification for colonialism and racial hierarchy, while contrasting his views with those of critic Alfred Russel Wallace. Finally, the discussion connects Galton’s legacy to modern effective altruism, arguing th…
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