"Olaf Stapledon - Rare stories" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stapledon Olaf)

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the expression of a multiplicity of inherited characteristics, which environment can affect directly only
during the life of the individual. They believe that characteristics acquired during the lifetime of the
parent are not heritable. But some deny this. It is right that we should all know something of this
controversy since its importance to eugenics is very great. If the nature, far more than the nurture, of the
parent determines the character of the child, the unwholesomeness of these days may not seriously affect
our descendants. But it is allowed by all that a bad habit, or evil surroundings, through weakening the
system, may cause the offspring to be stunted. Whatever be the final result of this controversy, much can
be done for the improvement of the race. It seems clear that physical, mental, and moral characters are
governed by the same broad laws of inheritance. In time it may be as possible to breed good men as it is
now possible to breed fast horses. This is the goal at which we should aim. Meanwhile we may improve
the standard of mankind by wisely restricting undesirable marriages. Thus we may eradicate not only the
liability to special diseases, insanity, and crime, but also general weakness and general incompetence.
The application of the knowledge which has been already acquired is still hampered by universal
prejudice. Not till this has been destroyed can we hope to realise the schemes of Galton for the
"Improvement of the Human Breed." He suggested that records should be kept of the history of every
family, that every man might know something of his hereditary capabilities and liabilities. In this way he
hoped that there would arise a true pride of birth. No one of clean pedigree would be likely to marry into
a tainted family. There would be a real aristocracy of birth. The poorer specimens would be continually
dying out, since it would be hard for them to marry. He also points out that it cannot be held cruel to
allow undesirables to die out in this way. The individuals may still live happy and useful lives. For them
celibacy is self-denial for the good of the community. But nothing can be done till the interest in these
things is universal. The homage paid to riches and "nobility" must be replaced by a more honest homage
to pure birth, the true nobility.
It is considered almost sacrilegious to breed men in the way we breed cattle. We must not meddle with
the divinely directed course of evolution. We must not try to confine the fires of love, and if we do try
we shall fail. Love is a divine spirit, too powerful and too fleeting to be controlled by human devices.
Such are the objections raised.
But why is it sacrilegious to use direct means for the improvement of the human breed? We have been
given wherewithal to climb a little nearer to divinity. Are we to stand mesmerised within the chalk circle
of convention? No doubt we must act with caution. Our knowledge being still incomplete, we must not
attempt very much at first. But let us at least have the will to progress.
We are told not to interfere with the divine caprice of love. Surely this is unreasonable. We lament when
a friend marries into a social class lower than his own. We should have more reason to deplore his
marriage into a family tainted with disease or moral weakness. Love is capricious; but even now it is
confined within certain limits. It is held wicked to indulge it beyond them; and such is the force of
public opinion that it seldom occurs beyond them. A marriage in which husband and wife bear some
particular taint may well produce children some of whom are seriously deformed in mind or body. Such
marriages should be regarded as a kind of incest. In time they will be prevented by public opinion,
which should be aided by legislation. At first, no doubt, there will be many tragedies of revolt against
custom and law. It may be held that love exists not merely for the perpetuation of the race, but is an end
in itself, the spiritual union and beatitude of individual men and women. The noble type of love which
can claim to be a spiritual end in itself has evolved from something less noble. If it be wisely controlled
now, in time humanity may be capable of an emotion far more intense and far more divine.

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