To G. A. Gaskell 15 November 1878
Summary
CD hopes GAG is right [see 11744]. His second law seems largely acted on in civilised societies. Evil that would follow from checking benevolence to weak and diseased would be greater than by allowing them to survive and procreate. CD doubts that artificial checks would be advantageous to the world at large. If birth could be prevented, and control were not thought immoral, "would there not be a danger of profligacy amongst unmarried women?"
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Arthur Gaskell |
Date: | 15 Nov 1878 |
Classmark: | DAR 144: 327 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11745 |
From G. A. Gaskell 13 November 1878
Summary
Discusses three "laws of race preservation" which are evolving: (1) natural selection; (2) the sociological law of sympathetic selection, or indiscriminate survival; (3) moral law – social selection or the "Birth of the Fittest".
Author: | George Arthur Gaskell |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 13 Nov 1878 |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 12 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11744 |
From G. A. Gaskell 20 November 1878
Summary
Thanks CD for his encouraging letter. Replies to CD’s points. Thinks more attention should be given to the origin and growth of sexual shame.
Author: | George Arthur Gaskell |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 20 Nov 1878 |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 13 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11752 |