Owen's Moral Physiology; or, A Brief and Plain Treatise on the Population Question

"Owen's Moral Physiology; or, A Brief and Plain Treatise on the Population Question" by Ralph Glover, M.D. is a scientific publication written in the mid-19th century. This treatise tackles the delicate issues surrounding human reproduction, population control, and social morality, focusing on how understanding our physiological nature can influence societal norms and the well-being of families. The text argues for the necessity of controlled reproduction and the benefits that can arise from educated discussions regarding the reproductive instinct. The opening of the work sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of moral physiology, beginning with an introduction to the fundamental reproductive instincts and their implications for personal and societal well-being. It discusses the concept of utility as it relates to family planning and population control, emphasizing the desire for knowledge over ignorance. Glover introduces the idea of a moral restraint on reproduction, suggesting that such control is essential for securing happiness and reducing societal issues like poverty and intemperance. He positions his discussion as a response to prevailing misconceptions about the reproductive instinct, advocating for clear communication and understanding to prevent the deleterious effects of unrestrained procreation on both individuals and society at large. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Dale Owen was a Scottish-born Welsh-American social reformer who was active in Indiana politics as member of the Democratic Party in the Indiana House of Representatives and represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives (1843–47). As a member of Congress, Owen successfully pushed through the bill that established Smithsonian Institution and served on the Institution's first Board of Regents. Owen also served as a delegate to the Indiana Constitutional Convention in 1850 and was appointed as U.S. chargé d'affaires (1853–58) to Naples.