Euthenics, the science of controllable environment / A plea for better living conditions as a first step toward higher human efficiency

by Ellen H. Richards

Never has society been so clear as to its several special ends, never has so little effort been due to chance or compulsion.

Ralph Barton Perry, The Moral Economy.

Not through chance, but through increase of scientific knowledge; not through compulsion, but through democratic idealism consciously working through common interests, will be brought about the creation of right conditions, the control of environment.

The betterment of living conditions, through conscious endeavor, for the purpose of securing efficient human beings, is what the author means by Euthenics.[1]

“Human vitality depends upon two primary conditions—heredity and hygiene—or conditions preceding birth and conditions during life.”[2]

Eugenics deals with race improvement through heredity.

Euthenics deals with race improvement through environment.

Eugenics is hygiene for the future generations.

Euthenics is hygiene for the present generation.