The spectre of Hitler has led some scientists to stray from 'ought' to 'is' and deny that breeding for human qualities is even possible. But if you can breed cattle for milk yield, horses for running speed and dogs for herding skill, why on earth should it be impossible to breed humans for mathematical, musical or athletic ability? I wonder whether, sixty years after Hitler's death, we might at least venture to ask what is the moral difference between breeding for musical ability, and forcing a child to take music lessons. Or, why is it acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers, but not breed them? I can think of some answers, and they are good ones which would probably end up persuading me. But hasn't the time come when we should stop being frightened even to put the question?
Well, the idea that "human beings" can be bred like cattle - and that they should have no choice in the matter - seems to be a very good ground for answering to that question, and differentiating between training and breeding; as far as "forcing children to take music lessons", I would say there are equally good grounds against coercion there. The history of eugenics, not only in Germany, but in the USA (has he never read Gould on the subject?) would seem to be another; the USA programme of eugenics (which included involuntary sterilisation, and turning refugees away) . Since most answers to that question have been given by philosophers (it comes up in "The Myths We Live By" which I suspect he has never read), why ask the question again?
Sam Harris, author of a critique of religion ("The End of Faith") comments:
The spectre of Hitler, the monster, the creator of the master race - No, somehow I don't think 60 years is enough distance to put between the evils of his inhumanity and the prospect of picking up his work.
What is the moral difference between breeding for musical ability and forcing a child to take music. My guess it is the same as the moral difference between breeding soldiers and drafting volunteers - that is to say - it violates the free will of the individual to have these types of choices made for them by other men. If you are bred for soldiering - you will die a soldier. If drafted, at least you have the option of fixing airplanes.
I prefer the following philosophy:
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Well said!
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