It is the aim of this research to investigate how race matters, biologically and/or socially to an individual or group. Its enhanced through critical engagement with an argumentative approach. Bringing these two perspectives from race together seems valid for a number of reasons. Biology and social constructivist approach on race, sharing priorities, including attention to context, ambiguity, relationships, interdependence, and a commitment to human fairness. Beginning with the biological term defined as a living process allied to genetic and other vital organisms or cell groups, in relationship with life. Second, the social meaning marked by human interaction within members or groups forming a society. Third, the context of race, a word of …show more content…
Based on Richard Lewontin’s article the scientific consensus regarding total human genetic variation between races, there is a smallest inter-racial distinction compromising “about 7 % of the total genetic variation in the human species” (as cited in Sesardic, 2010, p.148). Yet, philosophers such as Machery and Faucher …show more content…
Historically, biological race has been interpreted in more than one way. First as ‘race is a natural kind in biology’ addressed by theorists who defined natural as real. An example of paradigm opinion in this matter was Robin Andresen in 2000, at his view of race needed to be ‘natural kind’ in order to exist in biology realm. Furthermore, natural kind exist objectively and independently of human activities. Second was the view of Ronald Sundstrom as ‘race is a real biological kind’ being independently of human interest, where members are united by biological relation, for example, the same lines of descent (Spencer 2012). There are many versions of biological racial perspective, for the purpose of this research, two different approaches were presented by the
In his book, A Troublesome Inheritance, Nicholas Wade attempts to shed light on the perennially taboo subject of the genetics of race. His efforts include a frank conversation about the origins of the matter as well as the justifiably strong feelings that come with it. Wade’s book dives right in by elaborating and explaining in great detail the laborious and often painful processes utilized by the scientific community in reaching consensuses on issues. Wade also unabashedly delves into the dark, horrific events of the 20th Century that stemmed from misconceptions of genetics, race, and politics. It is clear that Wade believes these tragic events have prevented society from addressing the issues and potential for greater understanding that race
If there is no biological basis for race, then it is clear race is created by human for their own purpose. Racial ideas are manifested in social inequality and unfair distribution. One of the factors of race is racial classification. The article of Colorblind challenges
It could also be argued that some aspects of the biological view of race are, to some extent, positive today because, over the years, the way scientists saw race has been altered as a result of what the previous biologic view provoked (Darwinian evolution), which was hatred and discrimination towards those groups of individuals that were different to them. This meant that many experts in the field made statements regarding the wrongness within the Darwin evolution. One of these experts was R.L Hotz, who admitted that there was only a single type of race, which was the human race and that it couldn’t be opposed biologically (Hotz, 1997). This, in other words, means that the way race was seen and the way it is now seen by some biologists has
I have seen the unique place in the organic world occupied by the human species, the profound physical, as well as moral, differences separating it from all kinds of living creatures. Race, technically, refers to differential concentrations of gene frequencies responsible for traits. They are separated from one another, on the basis of certain biological characteristics. Principle races are Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid. Most educated folks would settle for the actual fact that the planet isn’t flat which it revolves around the sun.
Furthermore a study by the Genetic Society of America, weakens the myth that race is caused by genetic differences by stating that there is a “larger Genetic Differences Within Africans Than Between Africans and Eurasians” meaning “blacks” are more genetically similar to “whites”
The beginning of the book highlights the importance of race. Race was invented and assigned to individuals solely on their outward appearance. Most Americans unconsciously accept race as a product of Mother Nature. In reality, it has nothing to do with your genetics.
Certain studies have shown a damaging correlation between racial groups and health problems, such as high blood pressure in African-Americans or low birth weight for Arab newborns after 9/11 (Gravlee, 52). These indications are imperative to understanding how race affects biology because both are impacted by societal, cultural, and environmental factors. The author also recognizes the impact that anthropologists had on past ideology, such as eugenics (Gravlee, 48), and how it has shaped racialized thinking in the modern world. Gravlee argues that skin color is a major factor in social processes (Gravlee, 52) and ultimately, it contributes to the cycle of inequality and unseen health problems in minorities (Gravlee, 48). In response to the pre-existing notions in both pop culture and academia, the author unifies both statements and states that race manifests itself in the person’s biology (Gravlee,
In addition, race has also been used by scientists to classify humans and use science to prove presumed biological differences: “Linking race to biology led to a ‘race science’ that
In conclusion, the way that experts see race and how it had affected and change over the years has demonstrated that there is no empirical definition of race. There is no biological construct of race that has ever stood the test of time or science. Yet the concept is so imbued with social meaning that it remains, despite the lack of scientific evidence regarding this issue. Moreover, the social, cultural and political divisions that have arisen around the idea of race have also created more differences between social groups. Today, race is defined primarily as a matter of perception – how one perceives one self, and how one is perceived by others.
Linnaeus sub-categorized humans into the following groups (in no particular order): Europeanus, Asiaticus, Africanus and Americanus. There was this perception put forward by Linnaeus that Europeanus were “of fair complexion, sanguine temperament, and becoming form.. Of gentle manners, acute in judgement.. Governed by fixed laws” whereas Africanus were described as “..black complexion, phlegmatic temperament.. Crafty, indolent… governed in their actions by caprice” .
Koshiq Hossain Dr. Freund Americas II 2.26.16 Précis Assignment “Race”, groups of people sharing similar physical characteristics. Race is often mistaken as a biological concept, when it’s actually an ideology that was brought to categorize different groups in history. In Order to understand race, we have to understand what is an ideology. Ideology is an extensive vocabulary used to explain social experiences. Ideology is what forms a political view, and those views can be changed.
In the article “What We Mean When We Say ‘Race Is a Social Construct’,’’ Ta-Nehisi Coates asserts that the idea of race is not based on someone’s intelligence. People will always have a different opinion on intelligence. It is wrong to make the assumption that “blacks” are not as intelligent as “whites”. Coats says “There is no fixed sense of ‘whiteness’ or ‘blackness’.” He also explains how race is a social construct.
Race, nationality and ethnicity Race and ethnicity are seen as form of an individual’s cultural identity. Researchers have linked the concept of “race” to the discourses of social Darwinism that in essence is a categorization of “types” of people, grouping them by biological and physical characteristics, most common one being skin pigmentation. Grouping people based on their physical traits has lead in time to the phenomenon of “racialization” (or race formation), as people began to see race as more of a social construct and not a result or a category of biology.
This chapter explains the difference between race and ethnicity and how they came about. It also explains the advantages and disadvantages some have due to the creation of race. Race and ethnicity have strong foundations not only within countries, but between them. Globalization has increased the individual’s ethnic identities, but has also put some at disadvantages. Having different races and ethnicities is not an issue, but ranking the different races and putting others at disadvantages creates issues.
After these finding was gathered, high official came together and conduct their own system of organization by categorizing each race by social class; and clarification. However, times have changed in society over the years where are physical and mental formation is concerned, and because of these changes we endured anthropologists have been degraded, and pushed aside in their ongoing efforts to finding those answers that we needed to know of our existence; this was due to systematic changes and modern technology. Simply meaning that their findings wasn’t anything knew, putting the nineteenth century findings in a class all by themselves, as to one’s race (or ethnocentrism), and we need to accept their finding that theories as being just that; information that one relates to the nineteenth century only. While Darwin’s theory was correct as to what each of us was made up of were genetics was concerned, it didn’t provide them with the information as to how we carried these genetics from one individual to the next over time; and to whom its existence once was create and how. In other word the findings they uncovered just didn’t coincide with what they tried to unveil, leaving them with a