Richard weikarts from darwin to hitler is a comprehensive look at how german ethics gradually evolved socially, economically, and politically from a judeochristian worldview into a philosophical materialism worldview. Many of these thinkers supported moral relativism, yet simultaneously. In this work, richard weikart explains the revolutionary impact darwinism had on. Darwin to hitler richard weikart great minds with michael medved. From darwin to hitler california state university stanislaus. Pdf from darwin to hitler download full pdf book download. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany, documents the influence of naturalistic evolution on ethical thought, euthanasia, militarism, racism, and ultimately hitlers ideology. In from darwin to hitler, richard weikart, an associate professor of modern european history at california state university, documents the tremendous rise of darwinian ethics in germany. From darwin to hitler elucidates the revolutionary impact darwinism had on ethics and morality throughout history. Adolf hitler was a pantheist who believed nature was god.
Presentation at a panel on my book, from darwin to hitler, darwinism after darwin conference, university of leeds, england, september 2007. Richard weikarts from darwin to hitler adds context to solve this quandary. Richard weikart, author at evolution news page 8 of 8. Hitler was inspired by evolutionary ethics to pursue the utopian project of biologically improving the human race. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics and racism in germany. He starts by mischaracterizing my position, claiming that i argue for a direct line from darwin to hitler. In this compelling and painstakingly researched work of intellectual history, richard weikart explains the revolutionary impact darwinism had on ethics and morality. Richard weikarts outstanding book shows in sober and convincing detail how darwinist thinkers in germany had developed an amoral attitude to human society. I have also summarized some of my criticisms on this blog. Richard weikart audio books, best sellers, author bio. Germans accepted crackpot race science because it was science. Article archives darwin, hitler, and the modern evaluation of human life richard weikart june 27, 2019 richard weikart on hitlers religion richard weikart september, 2018 the death of humanity and the case for life richard weikart april 10, 2017 hitlers religion richard weikart november 21.
Explore the influence of social darwinism on german militarism in the years leading up to world war i in this fascinating 14minute documentary featuring historian richard weikart. He had a background, an intellectual milieu, that historian richard weikart explores in his book from darwin to hitler. Weikart demonstrates that many leading darwinian biologists and social thinkers in germany believed that darwinism overturned traditional judeochristian and enlightenment ethics, especially the view that human life is sacred. The exhibit depicts how widespread the mesh of eugenics and racism was by the late nine. Lecturepowerpoint presentation, darwins impact in europe and america, humphreys college, modesto, ca, august 19. By demonstrating the depth of its reach in german society, he makes a compelling case that social darwinism laid the basis for hitlers extreme moral code. Senior fellow richard weikart responds to sander gliboff richard weikart july 8, 2004 uncategorized original article. Richard weikart masterfully charts the path from darwins ground breaking ideas right to the seat of power of nazi germany. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany by richard weikart. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. He is also a senior fellow for the center for the renewal of science and culture of the discovery institute and has devoted his career to elucidating the supposed immoral consequences of evolution for weikart, the materialistic basis of evolutionary theory is responsible for the. This book is a provocative yet balanced work that addresses a wide range of topics.
Conceding that weikarts book is very well crafted to maintain a scholarly stance and that it is rich in. From darwin to hitler elucidates the revolutionary impact darwinism had on ethics and morality. The various presuppositions that added up to race science were the paradigms accepted by scholars, scientists and progressive social organizations. Atheists tend to insist hitler was a devout christian. And still others suggest that he was a practicing member of the occult. In that book, weikart traced the emergence of scientific racism in the darwinian tradition, particularly. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany was released in 2004 paperback edition in 2006 with palgrave macmillan in new york, a. We know hitler was evil writes historian richard weikart in from darwin to hitler, but how do we explain why hitlers diabolical genocide was widely accepted by the germans including intellectuals, scientists, and other cultural leaders. From darwin to hitler evolutionary ethics, eugenics and. The twisted beliefs that drove the third reich by richard weikart dr weikart is an associate professor of history at california state university, specialising in modern european history and so is well placed to write on this topic. The academic community has been widely critical of the book. They talk about the effect that darwinism has had on western civilisation and is still having today. None of these theories are true, says historian richard weikart.
The nazi pursuit of evolutionary progress macmillan palgrave, 2009. He questioned the historical connections between darwinism and nazism that i demonstrated in my book, from darwin to hitler. Richard weikarts from darwin to hitler is a comprehensive look at how. One question that tragically never goes away is that of evil and its roots. Richard weikart is professor of history at california state university, stanislaus. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany 2004, richard weikart explains the revolutionary. Evolutionary progress by richard weikart palgrave macmillan, new york, 2009 hitlers evolutionary ethic lael weinberger i n 2004, richard weikart garnered widespread attention for his book, from darwin to hitler palgrave macmillan. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics and racism in germany 2004 by weikart, richard isbn. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany was released in 2004 paperback edition in 2006 with palgrave macmillan in new york, a major publisher of historical scholarship. Richard weikart is professor of history at california state univ. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany by richard weikart was released in 2004 paperback edition in 2006 with palgrave macmillan in new york, a major publisher of historical scholarship.
See all books authored by richard weikart, including hitlers religion. Richards said that there was no evidence that hitler read darwin, and that some influencers of nazism such as houston stewart chamberlain were opposed to evolution. Lecture on forthcoming book, hitlers ethic, seattle pacific university, august 9, 2008. Richard weikart, the author of this captivating and welldocumented book, makes it clear that he intends to provide the reader with a scrupulously historical study of the darwinian influence on eugenics, euthanasia, racial theory, and militarism in germany. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany 2004, richard weikart explains the revolutionary impact darwinism had on ethics and morality. On display are the texts, tools, and techniques used to promote and legiti. In this work, richard weikart explains the revolutionary impact darwinism had on ethics and morality. In this book, weikart helps unlock the mystery of hitlers evil by vividly demonstrating the surprising conclusion that hitlers immorality flowed from a coherent ethic. While the earlier book concentrated on the history of social darwinism as shaping nazi ideology, this new book concentrates on hitlers own writings as showing the fundamental influence of darwinian ethics. Delving more deeply into the question of hitlers religious faith than any researcher to date, weikart reveals the startling and fascinating truth about the most hated man of the 20th century. Weikart explains that darwins ideas about species competition not only inspired eugenics movements in germany and the united states, but also influenced intellectuals like friedrich hellwald to view brutal human conflicts as a natural part of the human struggle to survive. Richard weikart books list of books by author richard. Senior fellow richard weikart responds to sander gliboff.
Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany, documents the influence of naturalistic evolution on ethical thought, euthanasia, militarism, and. Andrew interviews richard weikart about his book from darwin to hitler. The nazi pursuit of evolutionary progress 2009is a sequel to the earlier book. Richard weikart is a christian creationist and history professor at california state university, stanislaus.
Historian sander gliboff of indiana university slams fellow historian richard weikarts book from darwin to hitler for trying to demonstrate the influence of darwinism on nazi ideology. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany. If you dont want to wait have a look at our ebook offers and start reading. Adolf hitler was not a lunatic, nor did he emerge onto the stage of history from nowhere. This book is a provocative yet balanced work that addresses a wide range of topics, from the value of human life to sexual mortality, to racial extermination.
Quotes by richard weikart darwinism by itself did not produce the holocaust, but without darwinism. The twisted beliefs that drove the third reich, and from darwin to hitler. If anyone wants to understand the nazi mindset, this should be on the top of your reading list. He demonstrates that many leading darwinian biologists and social thinkers in germany believed that darwinism overturned traditional judeochristian and enlightenment ethics, especially the view that human life is sacred. Discover book depositorys huge selection of richard weikart books online. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany, the journal of modern history 78, no. In this video clip, richard weikart delivers a presentation based on his book from darwin to hitler. Richard weikart california state university stanislaus. For a man whom history can never forget, adolf hitler remains a persistent mystery on one fronthis religious faith. His inclusion of the numberous permutation and minuta is impressive. He recently completed a documentary project, exploring the reformation and revivals in germany, which is available on youtube. Explore the influence of social darwinism on german militarism in the years leading up to world war i in this fascinating 14minute. Weikart is best known for his 2004 book from darwin to hitler. Evolutionary ethics, eugenics, and racism in germany, and more on.
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