Michael O. Hardimon
University of California, San Diego
"The Idea
of a Scientific Concept of Race"
Abstract:
This talk seeks to
articulate and defend a distinctive scientifically valid concept of
race applicable to human beings that is continuous with the common
sense concept of race, non-racist, and does not lend itself to racist
use. The concept is distinguished from competing candidate scientific
race concepts. It is articulated by being compared and contrasted with
Mayr's biological species concept, defended against standard
objections, and its political value is assessed. Included are a novel
interpretation of recent data from population genetics and a new
account of the race concept's scientific utility.