Eugenics Laboratory Lectures number 7: Pearson, Karl. 1911. The Academic Aspect of the Science of National Eugenics. A Lecture Delivered to Undergraduates (London: Dulau and Co.). 27 pp.
Summary
Delivered by Karl Pearson, F.R.S., to undergraduates in 1911, this lecture advocates for the fundamental role of the university in establishing and pursuing the Science of National Eugenics. Pearson argues that the complex social problems of society—such as alcoholism, tuberculosis, mental defectiveness, and the changing status of women—are of far greater difficulty than problems in mechanics, and therefore cannot be solved by ”debating-society methods” or “appeal to the passions of the uneducated”.
Pearson insists that these vital problems must be studied in university laboratories, in an atmosphere “undisturbed by party factions and by hustings methods”. The paramount function of academic education is not to fill notebooks with facts, but to teach students to think, doubt, and reason independently. Students must learn to “study it without prejudice and form your own judgement—it is not doing its duty by you” to accept opinions because they are authoritative.
Pearson uses the argument of “no differentiation” to support the primacy of Nature: when characteristics conventionally attributed to Nurture (like temper or conscientiousness) show the same intensity of resemblance between siblings as physical characteristics (like head length or forearm length), the proof is strong that both are due to heredity. He re-states the core finding that the direct effect of Nurture is very markedly less than that of heredity, falling typically within one-fifth to one-tenth of the hereditary influence. He warns that no lasting social gain will be reached by appeal to emotions based on inadequate facts.
Eugenics Laboratory Lectures number 7
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