Issues, Etc. Social Darwinism and Scientific Racism – Joshua Pauling, 7/22/25 (2032)
Jul 22, 2025
Joshua Pauling, a classical educator and vicar, dives into the troubling history of social Darwinism and scientific racism. He connects the dots between Darwin's theories and the rise of racial hierarchies, explaining how pseudoscience shaped these harmful ideologies. Pauling highlights the dangerous legacy of eugenics and the grotesque public displays of humans meant to propagate superiority. He calls for Christians to reflect on early church teachings to foster unity and understand God's mission across diverse communities.
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What is Scientific Racism?
- Scientific racism falsely claims humanity can be divided biologically into hierarchical groups with differing moral value.
- This pseudoscience rose prominently in the late 1800s, influencing physical anthropology and skull measurement studies.
Darwinism's Unexpected Racism Link
- Darwinism's link to racism shocks many because this topic is rarely discussed in schools and museums.
- This narrative disrupts the common view of history as a straight line of progress in science and morality.
Evolution Before Darwin
- Evolutionary thinking existed before Darwin but lacked a clear mechanism.
- The Enlightenment changed views on man and the universe, fostering the idea of human progress through science.
