From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics and Racism in Germany

Weikart, R.

ISBN 10: 1403965021 / ISBN 13: 9781403965028

Published by Palgrave Macmillan, 2004

About this Item

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Seller Inventory # ERICA77314039650216

Bibliographic Details

• Title: From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics and Racism in Germany
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1403965021
• ISBN 13: 9781403965028
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Like New
• Book Type: book

About this title

Synopsis

In this work, Richard Weikart explains the revolutionary impact Darwinism had on ethics and morality. He demonstrates that many leading Darwinian biologists and social thinkers in Germany believed that Darwinism overturned traditional Judeo-Christian and Enlightenment ethics, especially the view that human life is sacred. Many of these thinkers supported moral relativism, yet simultaneously exalted evolutionary 'fitness' (especially intelligence and health) to the highest arbiter of morality. Darwinism played a key role in the rise not only of eugenics, but also euthanasia, infanticide, abortion and racial extermination. This was especially important in Germany, since Hitler built his view of ethics on Darwinian principles, not on nihilism.

About the Author

RICHARD WEIKART is an Associate Professor of Modern European History, California State University, Stanislaus, USA. He has had two previous books published, including Socialist Darwinism: Evolution in German Socialist Thought from Marx to Bernstein (1999), as well as articles in German Studies Review, Journal of the History of Ideas, Isis, European Legacy and History of European Ideas.