From Genesis to Genocide: The Meaning of Human Nature and the Power of Behavior Control

by Stephan L. Chorover

In From Genesis to Genocide, Stephan Chorover proposes that popular theories of human nature linked with current efforts to solve serious social problems can be seen as powerful instruments of behavior control. From Genesis to Genocide explores this borderline between psychology and politics, between meaning and power. It focuses on recurrent ideas about human diversity, tracing the process by which various methods of behavior control have been invented and fostered in order to justify the interests and objectives of influential social groups.

Written in an engaging, clear and frankly opinionated style From Genesis to Genocide makes striking observations about past and present developments in such controversial areas as I.Q. testing, violence, crime, juvenile delinquency, mental illness, psychosurgery, racial strife, sex discrimination, drug addiction, and law enforcement. It provides an incisive and timely critique of theories that treat social conflict as the result of biological or psychological defects in inferior groups or individuals. Using examples drawn from many sources, Chorover shows that theories of human nature and methods of behavior control cannot be understood independently from each other and from the much broader social context of which they are a part.

Genres: Science, Psychology, Nonfiction

238 pages, Hardcover

First published May 16, 1980

Reviews

[Erica Verrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chorover's basic argument is that the psych disciplines (psychology, psychiatry, psychoanalysis), do not operate from a neutral position. Instead, they bolster and perpetuate ideas about humanity that are inherently flawed. The fundamental idea that Chorover challenges is that the social stratification of human beings is not biologically pre-determined. While on the surface, this would appear to be an obvious fact, the biological "fitness" of some people over others is very much ingrained in our society. (Just look at our unquestioned belief in IQ tests.) Chorover traces how sociobiological ideas developed from Plato through the Social Darwinists. Then he describes how those concepts were put into effect by prison officials, school boards, state legislatures, and Nazis through policies whose sole purpose was the elimination and control of those who were determined to be "unfit." The "scientific" support used to enact these policies was provided by mental health practitioners, who not only supplied "proof" that certain groups were inherently inferior to others, but spearheaded legislation that resulted in thousands of forced sterilizations and millions of deaths.

While I found Chorover's arguments to be compelling and well constructed, I felt as if he had bitten off more than he could chew. There are a number of philosophical examinations of these ideas (Foucault's Discipline and Punish is among the best) which ultimately do more with the topic. And while Chorover illustrates his points with many well researched examples, he might have made his argument more effectively with a narrower focus.

As an introduction to sociobiology this would be a great place to start. The writing is clear and Chorover's arguments are thoroughly researched. If you are interested Hitler's extermination of mental patients, Chorover's account is second only to Lifton's exhaustive study of Nazi doctors.

[Andrés Suárez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that changed my entire way of thinking, made of me a better psychologist and more free as a person.