The Myth of Human Races: xv - Softcover

Corcos, Alain F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0870134396 ISBN 13: 9780870134395

Publisher: Michigan State University Press, 1997

Synopsis

The idea that human races exist is a socially constructed myth that has no grounding in science. Regardless of skin, hair, or eye color, stature or physiognomy, we are all of one species. Nonetheless, scientists, social scientists, and pseudo-scientists have, for three centuries, tried vainly to prove that distinctive and separate "races" of humanity exist. These protagonists of race theory have based their flawed research on one or more of five specious assumptions: - humanity can be classified into groups using identifiable physical characteristics, - human characteristics are transmitted "through the blood," - distinct human physical characteristics are inherited together, - physical features can be linked to human behavior, - human groups or "races" are by their very nature unequal and, therefore, they can be ranked in order of intellectual, moral, and cultural superiority. The Myth of Human Races systematically dispels these fallacies and unravels the web of flawed research that has been woven to demonstrate the superiority of one group of people over another.

About this title

About the Author

Alain F. Corcos was coeditor of Gregor Mendel's Experiments on Plant Hybrids (Rutgers). He is Professor Emeritus of Botany at Michigan State University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Michigan State University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0870134396
• ISBN 13: 9780870134395
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 230