The forbidden fruit: eugenics and its origin in 19th century England

• Grant number: 14/06199-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2014
• End date: June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - History of Science
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Assis de Queiroz
• Grantee: Filipe Dantas de Oliveira Jota
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The proposal aims to comprehend the scientist's role in 19th century England through the analysis of the eugenics movement and its origins from the works of Francis Galton. The hypothesis seeks to enlighten the issue of how the status of a future credo, idealized by modern culture, was invoked by eugenics, as well as comprehending the scientist's role in this context. It is believed that this study may help us to think over one of the greatest ideals of the contemporary man: the urge for progress as a mean to achieve human happiness through reason. Such happiness which translates into scientific development for the abolition of pain and suffering, followed by an era of civilizational prosperity and welfare. (AU)