[BERG] Harry Harlow

[Robin Campbell]

While of course I agree with Liz's opinions regarding Harlow's research, it is a serious
historical error to judge the behaviour of a scientist of 50-odd years ago by the standards of today.
Today, homosexuals may marry and even contrive to have children: 50-odd years ago their behaviour was 
punishable by custodial sentence. In both cases, what was done then was acceptable in 'the court
of public opinion' of the time, and is unacceptable in that court today. 

One would have to be brave (and foolish) to say that everything which is acceptable today
in animal science will be acceptable in 50-odd years time, or that everything which is now 
unacceptable will always be so.

Robin


Robin N Campbell
Psychology, Stirling
r.n.campbell at stir.ac.uk
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The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, 
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