Alfred Ploetz

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Alfred Ploetz (August 22, 1860 – March 20, 1940) was a German physician, biologist, and eugenicist. He is best known for his work in the field of eugenics and for coining the term "racial hygiene" (Rassenhygiene).

Early Life and Education

Alfred Ploetz was born in Swidnica, Province of Silesia, Kingdom of Prussia. He studied medicine and natural sciences at the University of Munich and the University of Zurich. During his time in Zurich, he became acquainted with August Forel, a prominent psychiatrist and eugenicist, who influenced his later work.

Career and Contributions

Ploetz was a pioneer in the field of eugenics, a movement that aimed to improve the genetic quality of the human population. In 1895, he published his seminal work, The Efficiency of Our Race and the Protection of the Weak (Die Tüchtigkeit unserer Rasse und der Schutz der Schwachen), where he introduced the concept of racial hygiene. He argued that the state should intervene to prevent the reproduction of individuals deemed genetically unfit.

In 1904, Ploetz founded the Archiv für Rassen- und Gesellschaftsbiologie (Archive for Racial and Social Biology), which became a leading journal in the field of eugenics. He also established the German Society for Racial Hygiene (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rassenhygiene) in 1905, which promoted eugenic policies and research.

Influence and Legacy

Ploetz's ideas on eugenics and racial hygiene had a significant impact on the development of Nazi eugenics policies. His work laid the groundwork for the Nazi Party's racial policies, including the Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring and the Nuremberg Laws.

Despite his contributions to the field of eugenics, Ploetz's legacy is controversial due to the association of his ideas with the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.

Personal Life

Alfred Ploetz was married to Pauline Rüdin, and they had several children. He continued to work in the field of eugenics until his death in 1940 in Herrsching am Ammersee, Bavaria.

Related Pages

• Eugenics
• Racial hygiene
• Nazi eugenics
• Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring
• Nuremberg Laws
• August Forel
• German Society for Racial Hygiene