Selective Breeding & the Birth of Philosophy

Summary

This video explores the historical and modern perspectives on the concept of nature in human behavior, contrasting aristocratic views with contemporary democratic ideals. It discusses ancient eugenics practices in Greece, where selective breeding and harsh methods were employed to improve the population, reflecting the belief in natural superiority. The video also critiques modern denial of the genetic basis of human behavior, arguing that advances in biological sciences make it increasingly difficult to suppress these ideas. Ultimately, it emphasizes the ongoing tension between nature and nurture in shaping human societies.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of selective breeding was first applied to horses, and later to humans in ancient societies, particularly in Greece.
• 😀 In Sparta, a form of eugenics was practiced where defective infants were discarded, while Athens allowed fathers to terminate the lives of newborns deemed weak or deformed.
• 😀 The ancient Greeks believed that exposing infants to extreme weather would toughen them, similar to how they treated horses.
• 😀 Aristocrats in ancient Greece and Europe believed they were entitled to rule by virtue of their 'nature,' and that other people were naturally subservient.
• 😀 Aristotle's belief in the natural-born slave supported the aristocratic worldview, where certain groups were thought to be inherently inferior.
• 😀 The aristocratic worldview, which emphasized nature and rigid social roles, seems inhumane and irrational from a modern democratic perspective.
• 😀 In contrast to the aristocratic view, modern society emphasizes nurture, custom, and culture, with the belief that anyone can be anything with proper education.
• 😀 However, not all human behavior is shaped by culture; genetics and nature do play a significant role in shaping human behavior and society.
• 😀 The idea that genetics influence behavior was understood rudimentarily by ancient societies long before modern evolutionary psychology.
• 😀 After World War II, there has been increasing academic and political censorship of discussions on human nature, group differences, and genetics, despite mounting scientific evidence supporting these ideas.

Q & A

What is the main idea discussed in the video script?

The script discusses the historical concepts of selective breeding and eugenics, specifically in ancient Greece, and contrasts these ideas with modern beliefs in nurture and education. It explores how ancient aristocratic societies believed in the natural superiority of certain individuals and how this influenced their social systems.

How did selective breeding relate to aristocratic societies in ancient Greece?

In ancient Greece, aristocratic societies applied the concept of selective breeding not only to animals like horses but also to humans. They believed that controlling the genetic traits of individuals would lead to stronger, faster, and more capable citizens, which would benefit their societies.

What practices were implemented in Sparta to enforce selective breeding?

In Sparta, the state practiced a form of eugenics where newborn children were evaluated by a council of inspectors. If a child was deemed defective or weak, they were cast off a cliff to die. This was part of their belief in creating a strong, warrior-based society.

What was the practice of infanticide like in Athens?

In Athens, fathers had the legal right to abandon or terminate the life of a newborn child if it was deemed weak or deformed. This practice was accepted by both law and public opinion as a means to ensure the strength of the population.

How did the Greeks toughen their infants, and why?

The Greeks exposed their infants to extreme weather conditions to toughen them, believing that this exposure would strengthen their bodies in much the same way that they thought selective breeding could improve animals, like horses.

What did aristocrats believe about their entitlement to rule?

Aristocrats believed that their superiority was inherent in their nature, and therefore, they were entitled to rule. They saw other people as naturally inferior, fit only to serve the aristocracy, a view articulated by Aristotle.

How does the aristocratic worldview contrast with modern democratic values?

The aristocratic worldview, which emphasizes inherent natural superiority and the right to rule based on birth, is in stark contrast to modern democratic values, which prioritize the idea that anyone can rise to any position with the right education, upbringing, and opportunities.

What criticisms does the script offer against modern academic and political elites?

The script criticizes modern academic and political elites for denying the role of nature in human behavior and for suppressing honest discussions about genetics and human differences. It suggests that these elites resort to censorship to avoid confronting these scientific truths.

Why does the speaker argue that the concept of nature is becoming harder to censor?

The speaker argues that the increasing body of scientific evidence supporting the role of genetics in human behavior is making it increasingly difficult for elites to suppress discussions about nature. As discoveries in biology continue to grow, it becomes harder to deny the influence of genetics.

What is the speaker's conclusion about the nature versus nurture debate?

The speaker concludes that while modern society emphasizes nurture and culture, denying the role of nature in human behavior is unrealistic. They argue that all human behavior has some basis in nature, a truth that societies have known for thousands of years, albeit often in a rudimentary form.