Meliorism

The term Meliorisierung in philosophy and sociology refers to the "improvement" of human beings, their relationships and the social, economic and cultural structures that determine his life. He alludes to the concept of melioration (Latin Meliorare = improve ) is commonly used in agriculture and is based on the cultivation and improvement of the soil.

Besides fortschrittsoptimistischen positions, which are based humanistic or pragmatist, there are also social technological variants to the eugenic Meliorisierung of people who emerged particularly clearly in National Socialism. In the sociology of Lester Frank Ward, the Meliorisierung is considered together with the containment of unmitigated social Darwinism. The human intellect has the task to modulate the evolution of man and society and to promote through social welfare planning. In that regard, are connected to the Meliorisierung always ethical and moral ideas of a better life, the Meliorisierung today can be especially with a biophilic attitude ( Biophilia ) combine, which takes the idea of ​​sustainability and the consumerist lifestyle of the western world into question.