The Evolution of Man and Society

Cyril Dean Darlington's The Evolution of Man and Society (1969) is a work that explores the intersection of genetics and human history. Darlington, a biologist, proposed that chromosomes are the key to hereditary mechanisms and the evolution of sexually reproducing species. He theorized that chromosome crossing over, rather than individual mutations, was the primary driver of inherited characteristics in subsequent generations.1

The book controversially asserted that race intelligence is determined by inheritance. This perspective aligns with some interpretations of Darwinian thought, which have been used to support concepts like social Darwinism and eugenics, advocating for the elimination of individuals deemed "socially unfit". While Charles Darwin's theories revolutionized biology, their application to social policies has been linked to racist and classist ideologies. Darlington's work, therefore, touches upon complex and debated aspects of human evolution and societal development.12