Lincoln Darwin

OK; I haven't written in awhile. But today is the 200th birthday of both Lincoln and Darwin.

Darwin, mind you, was not in favor of slavery. Nevertheless, his life's work provided support for people like Herbert Spencer and his social darwinism.

Lincoln, on the other hand, transcended biology and soared to great spiritual heights to support those who would advocate for the political equality of all men.

Compare these quotes:

First, Darwin:

There is however no doubt that the various races when carefully compared and measured differ much from each other as in the texture of the hair, the relative proportions of all parts of the body, the capacity of the lungs the form, and capacity of the skull, and even in the convolutions of the brain. But it would be an endless task to specify the numerous points of difference. The races differ also in constitution in acclimatisation and in liability to certain diseases. Their mental characteristics are likewise very distinct; chiefly as it would appear, in their emotional but partly in their intellectual faculties. Every one who has had the opportunity of comparison must have been struck with the contrast between the taciturn, even morose, aborigines of S. America and the light-hearted talkative negroes.

***

The variability or diversity of the mental faculties in men of the same race, not to mention the greater differences between the men of distinct races, is so notorious that not a word need here be said.


--Darwin, The Descent of Man.


Contrast this with Mr. Lincoln:

"Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."

***

"I . . . hold that . . . there is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man. I agree with Judge Douglas he is not my equal in many respects---certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral or intellectual endowment. But in the right to eat the bread, without leave of anybody else, which his own hand earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man. "


In the above quotes, as in many others, it is clear that Lincoln was not "pure," in the modern sense, regarding the issue of absolute equality of the races. Other quotes could be cited to show also that Mr. Darwin's position was not altogether diabolical on these issues.

But the legacy of both men is of interest to me. There are modern scientists and other writers who argue that there may be differences among groups in IQ. They cite biological facts. If we forget God, as Lincoln didn't, this could become a tough issue and we could treat different groups differently in a myriad of ways. But if we remember God, as Lincoln did, we remember our Common Father. This has great implications in our relations to others. Count me among those who say we should accord everyone equal rights. Who cares what someone's IQ is? I've met plenty of African Americans whose abilities exceeded mine, as well as plenty who didn't. Statistical differences should count for nothing when it comes to constitutional rights. But if someone's IQ were 140 or 79, he would still be a child of God, as am I. I'm often shocked at how the legal system gives short shrift to low IQ people, black or white; when all the judges, lawyers, social workers, and court staff would have to do is take five minutes with them in order to "draw out of them" their thoughts and take their concerns into account.

Lincoln provides support for equality under the law, even among people of disparate levels of intelligence or achievement. Darwin's legacy provides a basis for treating people differently.

These are the differing legacies of the two men. I'm not afraid of science. Bring it on. But I would urge that is irrelevant, because I'm not interested in bringing about equality of outcome. But I am interested in treating everyone with respect and dignity, and according them full legal rights.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matt 7:16