Why were Francis Galton's theories about human genetics called Social Darwinism?

Select one:

a. Both Galton's work and Darwin's argued for the superiority of white Europeans over inferior natives.

b. Genetics was suggested led to Galton as a field of study by his teacher Charles Darwin.

c. Galton learned from his cousin, Darwin, that reproduction took place under varying conditions and environments.

d. Galton's study of human genetics was inspired by his cousin Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Question

History

Madison Salas

13 May, 07:07

Why were Francis Galton's theories about human genetics called Social Darwinism?

Select one:

a. Both Galton's work and Darwin's argued for the superiority of white Europeans over inferior natives.

b. Genetics was suggested led to Galton as a field of study by his teacher Charles Darwin.

c. Galton learned from his cousin, Darwin, that reproduction took place under varying conditions and environments.

d. Galton's study of human genetics was inspired by his cousin Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Piper Wilson · Answer 1

The right answer is d.

Explanation:

Francis Galton found inspiration in the work and publications of his cousin Charles Darwin. Galton did research in the field of hereditary and biological variation, especially in human species. He travelled in Africa extensively and published scientific works. He supported the idea that white people are superior to African black people, who were, according to him, "two grades below" Anglo-Saxons in the usual frequency distribution of general mental ability. Galton advocated human breeding restrictions to diminish the breeding of the "feeble-minded." These arguments gave ammunition to racist views on Africans and stir controversy in the academia still today. That's why his theories are called Social Darwinism.