The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean
Was Darwin a Murderer?
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The murder case and subsequent debate in French society sparked a renewed interest in Darwinism and ultimately led to a greater understanding and acceptance of his ideas in France.
- The murderers in the case misunderstood and distorted Darwin's theories to justify their actions, highlighting the importance of distinguishing scientific theories from moral guidance.
Deep dives
The Sensational Murder of a Milkmaid and its Implications for Darwinism
In 19th-century Paris, the gruesome murder of a milkmaid was committed as an attempt to prove something about Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The murderers believed in social Darwinism, the idea that the strong should dominate the weak. This murder raised a debate in French society about whether Darwin was to blame. The trial and subsequent negative publicity surrounding the murder sparked a campaign to destroy Darwin and his theory. However, as more people read about Darwin's actual theories, public opinion began to shift in his favor, and he was finally elected a member of the prestigious French Academy of Sciences. The murder and its aftermath caused a renewed interest in Darwinism and led to a greater understanding and acceptance of his ideas in France.
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