Page 123 - Fascism: The Bloody Ideology Of Darwinsim

An Analysis Of 20th Century Fascism 123

of the inequality between the races from Darwinism, they also adopted the
idea that men were superior to women.
In The Descent of Man, Darwin wrote that women some of whose
"powers of intuition, of rapid perception, and perhaps of imitation are
characteristic of the lower races, and therefore of a past and lower state of
civilisation." 64 According to Darwin, evolution meant "a struggle of
individuals of one sex, generally males, for the possession of the other sex." 65
In the Descent, Darwin also wrote, "Man is more powerful in body and
mind than woman, and in the savage state he keeps her in a far more abject
state of bondage than does the male of any other animal; therefore it is not
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surprising that he should have gained the power of selection." Evolution was
in the hands of men, and women were basically passive. As a result, women
had evolved less and were more primitive, for which reason women were
dominated by instinct and emotions, which was their "greatest weakness." 67
Darwin maintained his views on the superiority of men and its
importance for evolution throughout his life. He had this to say about this
issue also by referring to his cousin Francis Galton's theories:

The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is
shewn by man's attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes
up, than can woman—whether requiring deep thought, reason, or
imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands. If two lists were
made of the most eminent men and women in poetry, painting,
sculpture, music (inclusive both of composition and performance),
history, science, and philosophy, with half-a-dozen names under each
subject, the two lists would not bear comparison. We may also infer,
from the law of the deviation from averages, so well illustrated by Mr.
Galton, in his work on Hereditary Genius, that if men are capable of a
decided pre-eminence over women in many subjects, the average of
mental power in man must be above that of woman. 68

Darwin's views could also be recognized in his personal outlook
towards women. He described a woman's role in marriage as "constant
companion, (friend in old age) who will feel interested in one, object to be
beloved and played with—better than a dog anyhow—Home, and someone to
take care of house ..." 69 It is evident that Darwin looked at women and the
institution of the family from a materialistic standpoint. There was not a trace
of love, respect, loyalty, affection or compassion in his outlook.