Galtonianism

Galtonianism is a philosophical and statistical framework developed by Francis Galton, a British statistician, and geneticist. Introduced in the late 19th century, the concept is based on Galton's observations of the inheritance of traits in humans and his attempts to quantify the impact of genetics on human characteristics.

The core of Galtonianism lies in the distinction between hereditary and acquired traits. Galton believed that many human characteristics, such as intelligence and physical traits, are largely determined by heredity. He suggested that these hereditary factors are inherited in a deterministic manner, with little room for environmental influence. In contrast, Galton argued that acquired traits, resulting from environmental factors such as lifestyle and education, are relatively minor contributors to individual development.

Galtonianism is associated with the concept of the "law of anagenesis," which describes the gradual improvement of a species through the inheritance of favorable traits. He also introduced the concept of "recessive inheritance," where a trait is hidden and expressed only when a certain level of environmental pressure is applied. These ideas were influential in the establishment of modern genetics and eugenics.

Galtonianism has been influential in various fields, including biology, psychology, and sociology. However, the theory has been criticized for its deterministic view of heredity and its perceived support for social Darwinism. Additionally, the methodology used by Galton to support his ideas has been criticized for methodological flaws and a lack of statistical rigor.

Galtonianism continues to be of interest to historians of science and continues to influence philosophical and scientific debates surrounding heredity, genetics, and human development.