Hereditary Genius - An inquiry into its laws and consequences

Francis Galton

I continued my inquiry into the origin of theories on inheritance. Trained as a molecular genetist some one hundred years later, I have no difficulties in accepting most of Galton's observations and conclusions on intelligence, in particular that it is hereditary (I learned that in school). It is remarkable he was able to analyze the heredity of complex human traits in such a systematic and methodical way (He was not aware of Mendel's work then). This book is original and its style authentic.

The last part of the book is more speculative, focusing on his ideas on how to improve intellectual quality of human beings (sort of encouraging smart people to marry early and seletively and to have lots of kids) and how important genius are for the evolution of human beings. I tend to believe in the natural process of human evolution (the less interference from the collective and conscious effort, the better). I also believe that most ordinary people already possess an amazing amount of intelligence. Given an ideal enviroment where individual creativeness is encouraged, a collection of ordinary human beings can do fairly well-the ancient greek might not be the only glory in human history. Well, I have to stop for now. My own thoughts are not quite mature yet.

I do like most, but not all, of his thought on the best form of civilization.

The best form of cilivisation in respect to the improvement of the race, would be one in which society was not costly; where incomes are chiefly derived from professional sources, and not much through inheritance; where every lad had a chance of showing his abilities and, if highly gifted, was enabled to achieve a first-class education and entrance into professional life, by the liberal help of the exhibitions and scholarships which he had gained in his early youth; where marriage was held in as high honour as in ancient Jewish times; where the pride of race was encouraged (of course I do not refer to the nonsensical sentiment of the present day, that goes under that name); where the weak could find a welcome and a refuge in celibate monasteries or sisterhoods, and lastly, where the better sort of emigrants and refugees from other lands were invited and welcomed, and their descendants naturalised.

And I even have one in my mind...