The Magick of Eugenic(k)s
The term Eugenics generally strikes revulsion into the hearts of most intelligent
individuals, primarily due to the actions of Adolf Hitler in his aim to
rid the world of the untermensche Hebrew race, and the promulgation of his
Aryan master race. I must state here and now that his actions, although
complying with the letter of the law, did not enter the true spirit of the
matter, and were in fact wholly unacceptable. This is unfortunate, since
there are aspects of this controversial doctrine which are worthwhile areas
of research into human development.
Eugenics is defined as the science of producing superior offspring by the
improvement of inherited qualities, through genetic manipulation. However,
it can be sub-divided into two aspects, those of Genetic and Educational
Eugenics. The educational qualification is necessary, as will be seen later,
since we as human beings do not function at anything near 100% of our potential
in all matters. Thus, a means of educating the populace would be just as
effective in the outset, as genetic manipulation.
Historically, Eugenics has been discussed and put into practice in very
different circumstances. For example, the German philosopher Nietzche introduced
the concept of the Golden Superman, as the pinnacle of human evolution and
development. In the USA, in the 1930's, a small township decided to sterilise
individuals who were considered to be sub- standard, and so prevent them
from perpetuating their 'faulty' genes in the germ-line. Hitler took a two-pronged
approach, inspired by Nietzche. He supported the production of an Aryan
master race, through the interbreeding of the very best aspects of his society,
while concurrently pursuing the eradication of the Jewish race, whom he
considered to be the very embodiment of all that was impure in the world.
As a digression, if Hitler's view was true and correct, then where would
we be with the Western Magickal Tradition, if he had removed the Jewish
race? Our Art is built primarily upon the Qabalah, which is Hebrew in origin,
and so he implies that it is a product of a worthless race, and so itself
is worthless!
As a member of the medical profession, it is often hard to reconcile my
beliefs on this matter with current clinical practices and beliefs. However,
both sides of the coin may be observed in the general public, who unwittingly
may support or repel this aim, albeit on a personal level. For example,
consider the pregnant mother who has discovered, through amniocentesis,
that her child had Downs Syndrome, and yet determines that she will bring
him into the world. On the other hand, take the couple that undergo genetic
counselling, since they are aware that they may carry certain recessive
genes, which if combined, could result in the birth of a severely affected
and sub-normal child. Both these examples occur commonly, and who are Doctors
to say which view is correct?
However, these days, it is hard to avoid the concept of eugenics in theory,
with the advent of genetic awareness. How many times have you heard on the
News that research into Gene Therapy has progressed? Simply, this science
has the aim of replacing faulty genes in a mal-functioning individual, thereby
restoring normality. For example, take the disease Cystic Fibrosis. This
destructive condition ultimately affects the lungs, and eventually causes
death by weakening the immune system through recurrent lung infections.
Now though, with Gene Therapy, it may be possible to treat this condition
by an administered form of the correct gene (delivered via a retrovirus,
and thus replacing the faulty gene, in the short term), and so return normality.
Thus it can be seen that however unwittingly, there is a trend towards supporting
eugenics as a worthwhile pursuit in modern society. How many people do you
know that would rather have a lot of sub-efficacious members of society
than none at all? This however, leads on to another problem with eugenics,
which is a very possible scenario if our plan was successful. If everyone
in the world had an IQ of 200, who would take out the garbage, and unblock
the drains? Although this is a rather facetious way of putting it, the comparison
holds. The menial, yet vital work within society is generally done by those
less able to pursue higher courses of employment. If all these individuals
were removed/elevated through eugenics, then it is conceivable that this
work would not get done, and society would fall into chaos.
Eugenics is implicitly manifest in nature, whether or not you like it. The
process of natural selection and evolution is natural eugenics, since the
better adapted will survive, and the lesser are eradicated. However, natural
selection no longer affects the Western World, since there is no competition
for the right to reproduce, as this is provided by the so-called Welfare
State. In the Developing Countries though, it is still in operation, as
shown by e.g. the Sickle Cell Trait. This is a genetic component which,
when paired in the human genome, causes a debilitating disease of the blood.
However, when it is paired with a normal component, it provides a protective
mechanism to the scourge of the tropical world, Malaria. Thus, it can be
seen that this, although deleterious when in the rarer homogenous state,
in the commoner heterogeneous state is an actual benefit, hereby showing
why it is so prevalent in the tropics. Thus, through natural eugenics, there
has evolved a process which has lead to an increased superiority of the
human race over the environment.
With eugenics, an essential area to qualify is the actual definition of
inferiority in the human race. How may we state where the least advanced
areas of human existence are, without first defining the criteria to be
used. This is the major problem, much more than the ethics of the matter.
The criteria may fall into purely physical or mental abilities or a combination
of both, with such qualities as education, physical strength, IQ, and even
hair colour being used previously. I will not attempt to define any, since
by that act I imply that I myself am superior, and I have no way to justify
that except by my own criteria, which is both erroneous and tautologous.
As an example of other peoples ideas on this subject I will attempt to analyse
the ideas as applied to the most maligned of all races, the Negroid race.
They have been referred to as inferior, since they generally do not achieve
a high standard of education, which is a common criterion for superiority
given by educated Western people. This lack of education can only be a result
of one of two theories. The first is that they have a lower level of intelligence,
compared to the Caucasian standard, and so are incapable of reaching a high
level of education. This is not a valid statement, since many Blacks have
reached the highest levels of learning, demonstrating high intelligence.
The other, and much more applicable reason is that their general culture
places no emphasis on education above a certain point, as it is not considered
particularly important in their society. Therefore, one can only say that
the negro races are generally inferior to caucasians in the sphere of education,
which, on its own is not a valid criterion. In fact, if another criterion
was used, such as speed, or physical strength, then the caucasians would
be considered inferior to the negroid race, not superior.
But where, I hear you say, does the subject of Magick come in to this sphere?
Well, this is the crux of the matter. If the human race can eliminate many
of its' poorer qualities, on an individual level, then they are surely more
adequately adapted to analyse themselves, and create better lives for themselves.
This does not seem magickal yet, but if we add a further dimension to the
equation, that of personal insight of the True Will (to use Crowley's Dogma),
the picture becomes clear. If one has a better idea of the True Will, then
logically, one is better equipped to carry out their own great work, and
so perform Magick. To extrapolate further, the increased awareness of one's
own true inner self facilitates the recognition of inherent magickal ability,
leading to a global increase in the furtherance of The Great Work. Thus
the Microcosm may eventually become the Macrocosm, in a much shorter time-span.
I would therefore like to qualify the term Eugenics, as applying to the
general concept of the subject, and introduce a new term, that of Eugenicks,
which could be used in the more directed view of the process towards an
increased Magickal awareness of future generations. But how may we, as students
and practitioners of the Art help this process? It is quite simple really.
Although the genetic aspect of Eugenicks is hard to apply, the educational
aspect is not. If we can help raise the level of general and spiritual education
within the community, then at least the current populace will be closer
to it's inherent potential. The dissemination of knowledge of the Art would
be enormously useful, but leads into a debate about whether it should remain
hidden to all but the inquiring minds.
Obviously, this is a very controversial area, but I hope to at least have
provided food for thought, and even possibly changed the opinion of some
people, who without true understanding of the subject had previously condemned
it as unethical.
Matt D.A. Fletcher