Richard Weikart

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'''Richard Weikart''' is a [[Christianity|Christian]] [[creationist]] and history professor at California State University, Stanislaus. He is also a senior fellow for the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture of the [[Discovery Institute]] and has devoted his career to elucidating the supposed immoral consequences of [[evolution]].

For Weikart, the [[materialism|materialistic]] basis of evolutionary theory is responsible for the devaluation of human life in general and the "survival of the fittest" mindset only leads to a completely immoral society. Weikart focuses heavily on the history of [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]], trying to portray them as "[[Charles Darwin|Darwinists]]" and [[moral relativism|moral relativists]], while simultaneously promoting [[Christianity]] positively. For instance, Weikart argues that Darwinism promotes [[racism]] whereas ""Christian [[theology]] taught the universal brotherhood of all races, who descended from common ancestors -- Adam and Eve."<ref>Weikart, ''From Darwin to Hitler'', 102</ref> However, the claim of a historical Christian "brotherhood of races" is easily refuted historically and [[Bible|biblically]]. The [[curse of Ham]] in (Genesis 9:25-27) and the story of the Nephilim as a separately created race (that was later killed or imprisoned by the Israelites) have both promoted racism for centuries. Darwin also refuted the doctrine of "polygenism" (i.e., the belief that different [[race]]s are separate species, heavily promoted by the "[[scientific racism|scientific racists]]") in ''Descent of Man''.

==Education and creationist credentials==
While most scholars are drawn to study a subject out of interest in the subject, Weikart began studying history for a religious agenda. He wrote: "I was drawn to the study of modern European intellectual history in part by the realization that much modern thought had debased humanity" and singles out "modern thinkers" who "specifically criticized the 'anthropocentric' view that humans are special, made in the image of God."<ref group=note>The long rambling, disconnected essay that tries to link everyone from Marx to Darwin to Dawkins to Nietzsche is here: http://www.discovery.org/a/6301 It reads like an undergraduate-word salad of post-Enlightenment thought.</ref> He goes on to claim: "By reducing humanity to their biological makeup, these Darwinian-inspired biological determinists contributed to the dehumanization process."<ref>http://www.discovery.org/a/6301</ref> So, Weikart studied history because those pesky scientists "debased humanity" with their evidence of common ancestry.  

Weikart earned his Ph.D in 1994 at the University of Iowa, a master's degree in history at the same school in 1989, but while he lists a bachelor's degree earned in 1980 from Texas Christian University, he doesn't mention what subject the degree is in.<ref>Weikart's vita: http://www.csustan.edu/History/Faculty/Weikart/vita.htm </ref> Important to note, Weikart's lists every tiny event on his CV, like speaking to the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship in Turlock, but neglects to tell what his bachelor's degree is in. Strange? Perhaps, the degree is connected to the Christian nature of Texas Christian University?<ref>It is connected to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (see: http://www.tcu.edu/96.asp)</ref> Despite having graduated nearly 20 years ago, Weikart still has an embargo that prevents University Microfilms International (UMI), the non-profit in charge of protecting and distributing graduate work, from sharing his dissertation: ''Socialist Darwinism: Evolution in German Socialist Thought from Marx to Bernstein''. If one searches for his dissertation at UMI's database they are told: "We're sorry, this publication is not available for sale at this time".<ref>Search by author, "Richard Weikart" at http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb then click order a copy</ref> The dissertation was converted to a book sold by International Scholars Publications, a now-defunct religious publisher, but was not well-received. Historian Daniel Gasman wrote that "Weikart's book inaugurates research into an important area of intellectual history, but the theoretical framework offered does not keep pace with the demanding complexity of the subject."<ref>Daniel Gasman, "Richard Weikart, Socialist Darwinism, San Francisco: International Scholar’s Publications, 1999," Central European History, 34(4): 2001, 573-575.</ref>

Weikart has attached his work to organizations that promote creationism and intelligent design. For example, he was on the editorial board of ''Origins & Design'', an old Earth creationist publication<ref>http://www.arn.org/infopage/weikart.htm</ref> and went on to become a fellow at the [[Discovery Institute]] who paid him "crucial" money for his agenda.<ref>"Many thanks also to the Center for Science and Culture (especially Jay Richards and Steve Meyer), which provided crucial funding and much encouragement..." Weikart, ''From Darwin to Hitler'', page x</ref> He also starred as an "expert" in ''[[Darwin's Deadly Legacy]]'', put together by a young Earth creationist ministry run by [[D. James Kennedy]]. The Anti-Defamation League "blasted" the film: "Trivializing the Holocaust comes from either ignorance at best or, at worst, a mendacious attempt to score political points in the culture war on the backs of six million Jewish victims and others who died at the hands of the Nazis."<ref>http://archive.adl.org/PresRele/HolNa_52/4877_52.htm</ref>

==Criticisms==
Weikart's most infamous work is his book-length [[argumentum ad Hitlerum]] entitled ''From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics, and Racism in Germany'' (2004). The book has been universally panned by the academic community.<ref>
*Richard Weikart. From Darwin to Hitler American Historical Review Volume 110, Issue 2, Page 566–567, Apr 2005 Andrew  Zimmerman
*Andrew Zimmerman, [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ahr/110.4/communications.html Response to Richard Weikart], ''American Historical Review'' 110 (2005): 1323.
*{{cite news | url=http://www.csustan.edu/History/Faculty/Weikart/response-to-critics.htm | title=General Response to Critics | publisher=CSUS |year= 2006 | first=Richard | last=Weikart   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/501405 | title=Richard Weikart: From Darwin to Hitler | publisher=[[Isis (journal)|Isis]] |date= Volume 96, Issue 4, Page 669–671, Dec 2005 | first=Nils | last=Roll-Hansen   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://www.talkreason.org/articles/Genocide.cfm | title=Creationists for Genocide | publisher=Talk Reason |year= 2007 | first=Hector | last=Avalos   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.cgi?path=37981105462766 | title=Review: Richard Weikart, From Darwin to Hitler | publisher=H-Germa] |date= September 2004 | first=Sander | last=Gliboff   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://www.h-net.msu.edu/reviews/showrev.cgi?path=80951126890820 | title=Review: Richard Weikart, From Darwin to Hitler | publisher=H-Ideas |date= June 2005 | first=Jonathan  | last=Judaken   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://darwinianconservatism.blogspot.com/2006/02/review-of-richard-weikarts-from-darwin.html | title=A Review of Richard Weikart's From Darwin to Hitler | publisher=Darwinian Conservatism |date= February 25, 2006 | first=Larry  | last=Arnhart | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://link.springer.com/journal/12129 | title=Darwinian Liberal Education | publisher=Academic Questions |date= Volume 19, Issue 4 December 2006 | first=Larry | last=Arnhart | accessdate =2013-10-17}} pp. 6-18
* Larry Arnhart, ''Darwinian Conservatism: A Disputed Question'' (Charlottesville: Imprint Academic, 2005), p. 114. ISBN 0-907845-99-1
*{{cite news | url=http://home.uchicago.edu/~rjr6/articles/Ryerson%20Lecture--%20Moral%20Judgment%20in%20History.pdf | title=Narrative Structure of Moral Judgments in History: Evolution and Nazi Biology | publisher=University of Chicago |date= July 2006 | first=Robert | last=Richards   | accessdate =2013-10-17}} Published as "The Moral Grammar of Narratives in History of Biology: The Case of Haeckel and Nazi Biology" in ''The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology'' ed. David L. Hull (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007) pp. 429-452.
*{{cite news | url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/502761 | title=Book Review of ''From Darwin to Hitler'' | publisher=The Journal of Modern History |date= (March 2006): 255–257 | first=Ann | last=Taylor Allen   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ftmp20/6/2 | title=Nazi Ideology between Darwin and Hitler | publisher=Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions |date= Vol. 6, No. 2, 309–322, September 2005 | first=Marius  | last= Turda  | accessdate =2013-10-17}} p. 319
* {{cite news | url=http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=429573 | title=Book Review From Darwin to Hitler | publisher=Central European History |date= 39, 01 (March 2006) | first=Helmut  | last=Walser Smith | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://rsnr.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/63/4/393.short | title=Do we need a non-Darwinian industry?  | publisher=Notes and Records of the Royal Society |date= 20 December 2009  | first=Peter | last=Bowler | accessdate =2013-10-17}}
*{{cite news | url=http://www.asa3.org/ASA/resources/Schloss200805.pdf | title=The Expelled Controversy:Overcoming or Raising Walls of Division?,  | publisher=[[American Scientific Affiliation]] |year= 2008 | first=Jeff | last=Schloss   | accessdate =2013-10-17}}</ref> Regarding the thesis of Weikart's book, University of Chicago historian Robert Richards concluded that "Hitler was not a Darwinian" and "calls this all a desperate tactic to undermine evolution."<ref name="Severing">{{cite news | url=http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/DARWIN+NAZISM/5609903/story.html | title=Severing the link between Darwin and Nazism | publisher= The Philadelphia Inquirer |date= October 27, 2011 | first=Faye | last=Flam  | accessdate= 2013-02-14 | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20111229180635/http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/DARWIN+NAZISM/5609903/story.html | archivedate= 2000-09-03}}</ref> Scholars Graeme Gooday, John M. Lynch, Kenneth G. Wilson, and Constance K. Barsky wrote that "numerous reviews have accused Weikart of selectively viewing his rich primary material, ignoring political, social, psychological, and economic factors" that shaped the Nazi ideology and policies.<ref name="ScienceEd">Graeme Gooday, John M. Lynch, Kenneth G. Wilson, and Constance K. Barsky {{cite news | url=http://lynch.faculty.asu.edu/pub/reprints/gooday2008.pdf | title=Does Science Education Need the History of Science | publisher=Isis |date=2008, 99 | first= | last= | accessdate =2013-10-17}} pp. 322–330.</ref> Since there is no clear and unique line from Darwinian naturalism to Nazi atrocities, useful causal relationships are difficult to infer; thus, as Robert J. Richards observes, 'it can only be a tendentious and dogmatically driven assessment that would condemn Darwin for the crimes of the Nazis'."<ref>Gooday et al. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/588690 Does Science Education Need the History of Science?] ''Isis'', vol. 99, no. 2, Jun. 2008</ref> Historian Peter J. Bowler was likewise direct writing that Weikart's book reflects a "simple blame game in which (for example) Darwin and Haeckel are accused of paving the way for Nazism," and denounced his efforts to connect evolution "with distasteful social policies" using a "remarkably simple-minded approach".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://rsnr.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/63/4/393.short | title=Do we need a non-Darwinian industry?  | publisher=Notes and Records of the Royal Society |date= 20 December 2009  | first=Peter | last=Bowler | accessdate =2013-10-17}}</ref>

To understand why Weikart and [[Ben Stein|his ilk]] continue to peddle the [[association fallacy|Darwin-Hitler connection]], one should understand creationism as embedded in a larger religious ethical system. A scientific theory that contradicts the Bible can be seen as "[[atheism|godless]]" and thus immoral. In addition, the popular misconception that evolution necessarily implies [[social Darwinism]] makes this an easy rhetorical tactic. Even though these accusations are not true, creationism can be turned on its head by showing that it is not a moral system and has for centuries justified many evil acts such as genocide.<ref>[http://www.talkreason.org/articles/Genocide.cfm Creationists for Genocide], Talk Reason</ref>

His next book, ''Hitler's Ethic'', was not much better. Historian Gerwin Strobl wrote that ''Hitler's Ethic's'' introduction "reads like a mixture of a television voiceover and the worst kind of undergraduate essay" and lacked any "emphasis on intellectual developments inside Germany," which ignores "that Hitler had set out to copy what he regarded as the Anglo-American example."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7931459 | title=Book Reviews: Hitler's Ethic | publisher=European History Quarterly |date= (2012) 42(1): 204-206  | first=Gerwin  | last=Strobl | accessdate =2013-10-17}}</ref>

==Publications==
*''The Myth of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Is His Theology Evangelical?'' (1997)
*''Socialist Darwinism: Evolution in German Socialist Thought from Marx to Bernstein'' (1999)
*''From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics, and Racism in Germany'' (2004)
*''Hitler's Ethic: The Nazi Pursuit of Evolutionary Progress'' (2009)
*''The Death of Humanity: and the Case for Life'' (2016)
*''Hitler's Religion: The Twisted Beliefs that Drove the Third Reich'' (2016)

==See also==
*[[Hitler and evolution]]

==External links==
*[http://www.csustan.edu/History/Faculty/Weikart/ Faculty page]
*[http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=9837 Darwin on Trial Again], H-Net
*[http://www.jstor.org/pss/10.1086/502761 Review of ''From Darwin to Hitler'' in the ''Journal of Modern History'']
*[http://darwinianconservatism.blogspot.com/2006/02/review-of-richard-weikarts-from-darwin.html Review by Larry Arnhart]
*[http://evilution-is-good-for-you.blogspot.com/2006/09/review-of-richard-weikart-from-darwin.html Review at Evilution is Good For You]
*[http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/evolution/Severing-the-link-between-Darwin-and-Nazism.html?text=lg&c=y Severing the Link Between Darwin and Nazism], ''Philadelphia Inquirer''
*[http://home.uchicago.edu/~rjr6/articles/Was%20Hitler%20a%20Darwinian.pdf Was Hitler a Darwinian?] by Robert J. Richards
==Notes==
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==References==
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