The Idea of Race

A survey of the historical development of the idea of race, this anthology offers pre-twentieth century theories about the concept of race, classic twentieth century sources reiterating and contesting ideas of race as scientific, and several philosophically relevant essays that discuss the issues presented. A general Introduction gives an overview of the readings. Headnotes introduce each selection. Includes suggested further readings.

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25391g

Edited, with Introduction, by Robert Bernasconi and Tommy L. Lott

2000 - 256 pp.

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A survey of the historical development of the idea of race, this anthology offers pre-twentieth century theories about the concept of race, classic twentieth century sources reiterating and contesting ideas of race as scientific, and several philosophically relevant essays that discuss the issues presented. A general Introduction gives an overview of the readings. Headnotes introduce each selection. Includes suggested further readings.

 

Contents:

Introduction.

The Classification of Races
1. Francois Bernier, “A new division of earth, according to the different species or races of men who inhabit it”
2. Francois-Marie Voltaire, “Of the Different Races of Men,” from The Philosophy of History
3. Immanuel Kant, “Of the Different Human Races”
4. Johann Gottfried von Herder, Ideas on the Philosophy of the History of Humankind 5. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, On the Natural Variety of Mankind
6. G. W. F. Hegel, “Anthropology,” from The Encyclopedia of Philosophical Science

Science and Eugenics
7. Arthur de Gobineau, The Inequality of Human Races
8. Charles Darwin, “On the Races of Man,” from The Descent of Man
9. Francis Galton, “Eugenics: Its Definition, Scope and Aims”

Heredity and Culture 10. Franz Boas, “Instability of Human Types”
11. Alain Locke, “The Concept of Race as applied to Social Culture”
12. Ashley Montagu, “The Concept of Race in the Human Species in the Light of Genetics”

Race and Political Ideology
13. W. E. B. Du Bois, The Conservation of Races
14. Anthony Appiah, “The Uncompleted Argument: Du Bois and the Illusion of Race” 15. Leopold Senghor, “What is Negritude?”

Racial Identity
16. Linda Alcoff, “Mestizo Identity”
17. Michael Hanchard, “Black Cinderella? Race and the Public Sphere in Brazil”
18. Michael Omi and Howard Winant, Racial Formation in the United States.

Further Reading

 

About the Author:

Robert Bernasconi is Moss Professor of Philosophy, University of Memphis. Tommy L. Lott is Professor of Philosophy, San Jose State University.