Abstract
THOUGH hardly equal in interest to its precursor, the present volume contains some valuable contributions to sociology. First, and foremost in interest and importance, comes a paper on eugenics by Mr. Francis Galton. He argues that man, whether civilised or barbarian, has submitted to restrictions in marriage, and, therefore, that a new restriction in accordance with eugenics may be imposed. Mankind has borne the yoke of monogamy, endogamy, exogamy. He has recognised prohibited degrees of kinship. Why cannot a new taboo be started? Dr. Haddon adduces an argument that is much to the point: the world is becoming self-conscious and modern civilisation has at command great resources for bringing about a revolution in men's views and practice. Dr. Max Nordau thinks the proposals unpractical. Modern restrictions would have no religious sanction, and would therefore fail. He would trust more to an improvement of the environment than to eugenics. There are many medical men who, like Dr Max Nordau, think that environment is everything. Prof. Tönnies fears that mariages de convenance and mariages de passion will continue in spite of eugenics. Lady Welby sees the difficulty of considering the interests of the race and at the same time making the most of the individual. Mr. Galton, whose enthusiasm compels admiration, answers the main objections forcibly.
Sociological Papers.
Vol. ii., 1905. Pp. xiii + 312. Published for the Sociological Society. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1906.) Price 10s. 6d.
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H., F. Sociological Papers . Nature 74, 29 (1906). https://doi.org/10.1038/074029a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/074029a0