Outcasts from Evolution: Scientific Attitudes of Racial Inferiority, 1859 - 1900

by John S. Haller Jr.

In the only book to date to explore the period between the 1859 publication of Darwin’s Origin of Species and the discovery in 1900 of Gregor Mendel’s experiments in genetics, John S. Haller, Jr., shows the relationship between scientific "conviction" and public policy. He focuses on the numerous liberally educated American scientists who were caught up in the triumph of evolutionary ideas and who sought to apply those ideas to comparative morality, health, and the physiognomy of nonwhite races. During this period, the natural and social scientists of the day not only accepted without question the genetic and cultural superiority of the Caucasian; they also asserted that the Caucasian race held a monopoly on evolutionary progress, arguing that "inferior races" were no more than evolutionary survivors doomed by their genetic legacy to remain outcasts from evolution. Hereditarians and evolutionists believed that "less fit" human races were perishing from the rigors of civilization’s struggle and competition. Indeed, racial inferiority lay at the very foundation of the evolutionary framework and, remaining there, rose to the pinnacle of "truth" with the myth of scientific certainty.

Genres: Science

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Walt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haller sets out to describe the racism in the late 20th Century. The book is not an easy read. There are several chapters that read like biology textbooks. The scientific jargon seems repetitive and overwhelming. Granted the title implies a scientific study; but Haller reproduces way too much from his primary sources, needlessly filling extra pages.

Haller definitely establishes scientific attitudes of racial inferiority, 1859-1900. He covers the major authors - scientific, philosophical, and political. What appears to be missing is any contrary data. The data was there. Some of Haller's best analysis is comparing studies of cranial capacity to demonstrate that the average cranial capacity of Africans is in the middle of many different ethnic groups, and usually above East Asians and Malayans, a quandrum for several of the authors Haller references. Furthermore, Haller includes tongue-in-cheek moments like when he points out depending upon what grain is used to measure cranial capacity will lead to different results. He also seems to enjoy repeating the absurd claim that Africans will die from laziness and exposure to advanced ideas from Caucasians.

Noticeably absent in the book is any contrary data. There are no abolitionist writings, even though Haller does include philosophical and religious "research" in later chapters. The lack of opposing views seems to shake the value of this book. Perhaps because readers have to shuffle through chapter after chapter on medical observation, cranial measurements, and so forth, they are eager to read something less scientific, and will accept his research.

Overall, Haller has produced a lot of primary sources. However, I do not feel that his analysis or discussion is good. It is difficult to identify a thesis. Instead, the book appears to be more of a characterization of the pseudo-science of the past under the guide of academic rigor.

[Valerie]

I didn't find this book particularly readable. I was referred to it through the bibliography of Stephen J Gould's The Mismeasure of Man. Gould probably extracted all the matter from the book through his quotes and analysis. And a lot of that, he went back to the primary sources for.

As a guide to the primary literature, this book might be useful. Otherwise, I can't recommend it, unless you can't get access to the primary sources.