Thu 19 Mar 2009, 19:00, by Ali Yoonessi, at GSA House: 2030 Mackay,Montreal, QC
(Map)
Charles Darwin is usually considered one of the most influential
scientists of the recent times. His theory of natural selection has
become widely accepted by the scientific community and general public.
An extension to his theory,
social Darwinism, suggested by his
half-cousin ,
Francis Galton and provided the basis for
Eugenic
studies. Eugenic studies is concerned with controlled breeding of
humans in order to achieve desirable traits in the future generations.
Suggestively, the social Darwinism has provided the basis for some
major recent phenomenons of our time, including colonialism and racism.
The potential links between social darwinism and historical events of
the past half-century will be discussed.