WE EUROPEANS
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Date
1934
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
PENGUIN BOOKS LIMITED
Abstract
Description
ONE of the greatest enemies of science is pseudo-science.
n a scientific age, prejudice and passion seek to clothe
themselves in a garb of scientific respectability; and when
they cannot find support from true science, they invent a
pseudo-science to justify themselves. We all know that
the Devil can quote Scripture for his own purpose: to-day
we are finding that he can even invent a false Scripture from
which to quote.
Nowhere is this lamentable state of affairs more pronounced
than in regard to" race." A vast pseudo-science
of" racial biology " has been erected which serves to justify
political ambitions, economic ends, social grudges, class
prejudices.
The purpose of this book is to bring together the chief
scientific facts now available on the subject of " race " in
man-in other words, the genetic differences between
human groups-and to present them in the light of established
scientific principles. Especial attention has been
given to Europe.
One of the main conclusions which emerge from such a
survey is the extent of our scientific ignorance on this fundamental
subject. Such ignorance ill accords with the passionate
proclamations of certitude which are to be heard in
certain quarters. However, it is a matter of observation
that passion thrives on ignorance and that dogmatic certitude
is a pathetic attempt to find a substitute for patient
knowledge, which is always humbly conscious of its inevitable
limitations.
Keywords
WE EUROPEANS, JULIAN S. HUXLEY, D.Sc., A. C. HADDON, Sc.D., F.R.S., A. M. CARR-SAUNDERS, M.A.