Euthenics

Euthenics (also rarely called euthenics in German ) describes the theory of the further development of humanity through improvements in the environment . Environmental conditions considered in the context of euthenics research are above all education , nutrition , living conditions and disease prevention . The word came up in the 19th century and is derived from the ancient Greek euthenein "to flourish". One of the first scientists to use the word was the American ecologist Ellen Richards in her work Cost of Shelter in 1905 .

Ellen Swallow Richards , a major euthenic advocate

Origin of the term

The name "Euthenics" was derived in the 19th century from the Greek verb eutheneo , εὐθηνέω ( eu , the root τίθημι tithemi , cause) and ("prosper" - Demosthenes . "Vigilant" - Herodotus ).

Also the Greek word Euthenia , Εὐθηνία. (“Good condition of the body / abundance”) comes into question as the root.

Examples

Examples of euthenics are the Flynn effect (increase in measured intelligence) and the steady increase in body size in industrialized countries since the beginning of the 20th century.

Quotes

"Not through chance, but through increase of scientific knowledge; not through compulsion, but through democratic idealism consciously working through common interests, will be brought about the creation of right conditions, the control of the environment. "

“ Not by chance, but by increasing scientific knowledge; not through coercion, but through democratic idealism working on common interests, the right conditions will arise and the environment will be brought under control. "

( Ellen H. Swallow Richards )

"It is within the power of every living man to rid himself of every parasitic disease."

“ It is within the power of every living human being to rid himself of any parasitic ailment. "

( Louis Pasteur )

literature

John K. Grandy: Euthenics. In: H. James Birx (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Anthropology. 5 volumes. Sage, Thousand Oaks 2006, ISBN 0-7619-3029-9 (English).
Ellen H. Richards : Euthenics, the Science of Controllable Environment. A Plea for Better Conditions As a First Step Toward Higher Human Efficiency. 3. Edition. Barrows, Boston 1929, ISBN 0-405-09827-8 (English; original 1910).

Individual evidence

^ ^A ^b Ellen H. Swallow Richards [1910]: Euthenics: The Science of Controllable Environment: A Plea for Better Conditions As a First Step Toward Higher Human Efficiency , 2nd. Edition, Whitcomb & Barrows , Boston 1912, ISBN 0405098278 .

[EllenSwallowRichards-1] A ^b Ellen H. Swallow Richards [1910]: Euthenics: The Science of Controllable Environment: A Plea for Better Conditions As a First Step Toward Higher Human Efficiency , 2nd. Edition, Whitcomb & Barrows , Boston 1912, ISBN 0405098278 .