A. Loria.Sociology and Eugenics.183
Now, all this clearly cannot be understood or explained unless it is
understood that the economically superior classes are not psychically superior
classes, and on that account capable of producing a progeny superior to an
indifferent average. If marriages included in this class gave origin to truly
select off-shoots, there would be in this fact an indication of the mental
superiority of the progenitors. But if, on the contrary, these marriages gave
origin to a degenerate offspring, it seems to me that such a fact throws a
sufficiently unfavourable light upon the qualities of the progenitors, and
that it destroys the theories that the economic élite are identical with the
élite of thought and virtue.
With all this, naturally we do not wish to assert the opposite con
clusion—that the economically superior classes are always inferior psychically
and vice versâ—a position which is disproved by the most elementary experi
ence. More modestly affirming the absolute independence between the
superiority of income and the superiority of intellect, we believe that we
scrupulously attain to the proof from actual fact, which affords the clearest
evidence of this independence.
And this conclusion seems to us the only one which can inspire a decisive
and rational line of conduct to the existing Eugenic movement. In fact, if
we admit that a superiority of income indicates by itself a psycho-physical
superiority, we must conclude that the conjugal selection which takes place
to-day in the circle of class is at present conformable to eugenic principles
and altogether excludes any practical propaganda to effect it. Do we
desire, on the contrary, to accept the opposite affirmation, according to which
psycho-phvsical eminence would be exclusively met with in the inferior
classes? Well, then, in such a case we should be obliged to applaud the
conjugal selection which is practised to-day, which, accelerating the extinc
tion of the superior classes, removes from the theatre of life degenerate
individuals and finally secures the survival of well-balanced and vigorous
popular elements.
Thus any theory which recognises the existence of a relation, direct or
indirect, between psycho-physical superiority and economic superiority leads
fatally to a eugenic nihilism and destroys all practical action. But, on the
contrary, when one recognises (what is, besides, consistent with the facts)
the absolute independence of psycho-physical and economical superiority, a
precise field of action is open to eugenic policy. It is requisite to proceed
to a minute and positive examination of individual characters, which must
be directly ascertained and not inferred from the fantastic criterion of their
economic position, and it is necessary to take care, by means of wise institu
tions, so that marriages may take place exclusively amongst the most select
class, physically and mentally. This will certainly be a difficult task, and
one demanding assiduous collective labour ; and we are convinced that only
this conscientious effort can lead to positive results, and such as will throw
light upon our practical action.
