Race, Science and Enlightenment Thought How we ended up with deep seeded concepts of racial differences

What was the Enlightenment a philosophical, intellectual and cultural movement of the eighteenth centuries. It stressed reason, logic, criticism and freedom of thought over dogma, blind faith and superstition. The Enlightenment’s main tool was reason (the application of the scientific method) to all tasks. Focus scientific thinking on social, economic and governmental ills.

Major Characters Montesquieu – The spirit of Laws (basically update of John Locke) Voltaire – Candide Jean Jacques Rousseau – The Social Contract Denis Diderot – The Encyclopedia Immanuel Kant – German philosopher – Critique of Pure Reason David Hume – Scottish philosopher – Treatment of Human Nature Edward Gibbon – Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire Thomas Jefferson – The Virginia state Constitution

Linnaeus “Carl Von Linne” Swedish Botanist The system of Nature – 1735 Binomial nomenclature All the natural world fits into his Classifications All people evolved from the “white” Caucasian. Blackness was a degeneration from The purity and perfection of the Caucasian Man. Mammals (1758) – interesting story – why not

Legacy of Linnaeus The Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau sent him the message: "Tell him I know no greater man on earth.“ The German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote: "With the exception of Shakespeare and Spinoza, I know no one among the no longer living who has influenced me more strongly.“ Swedish author August Strindberg wrote: "Linnaeus was in reality a poet who happened to become a naturalist".

The Four Races 1. Americanus. Native American males were supposedly red; had black hair and sparse beards; were stubborn; prone to anger; "free"; and governed by traditions (3). Thus, this form of Homo sapiens was definitely inferior and uncivilized. 2. Asiaticus. The male Asian was said to be "yellowish, melancholy, endowed with black hair and brown eyes...severe, conceited, and stingy. He puts on loose clothing. He is governed by opinion." Thus, like the aforementioned type of Homo sapiens, the Asiaticus could only be a mediocre prototype (2). 3. Africanus. The male of this subset, according to Linnaeus, could be recognized by his skin tone, face structure, and curly hair (2). This kind was apparently cunning, passive, and inattentive, and ruled by impulse. The female of this kind was also apparently shameless, because "they lactate profusely." (3) 4. Europeaus. The males of this subset were supposedly "changeable, clever, and inventive. He puts on tight clothing. He is governed by laws." (2) In addition to these categories, Linnaeus also suggested there were some more miscellaneous ones that occurred: "'wild men,' dwarfs, troglodytes [cave dwellers], and 'lazy Patagonians' [South American hunter-gatherers]." (4) Therefore, being the most civilized of the Homo sapiens, the Europeaus was obviously the most superior type in Charles Linnaeus's view (2).

David Hume, Immanuel Kant & George Hegel “I am apt to suspect the Negroes to be naturally inferior to the Whites. There scarcely ever was a civilized nation of that complexion, nor even any individual, eminent either in action or speculation. No ingenious manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences. On the other hand, the most rude and barbarous of the Whites, such as the ancient Germans, the present Tartars, have still something eminent about them, in their valor, form of government, or some other particular. Such a uniform and constant difference could not happen, in so many countries and ages, if nature had not made an original distinction between these breeds of men. Not to mention our colonies, there are Negro slaves dispersed all over Europe, of whom none ever discovered the symptoms of ingenuity; though low people, without education, will start up amongst us, and distinguish themselves in every profession. In Jamaica, indeed, they talk of one Negro as a man of parts and learning; but it is likely he is admired for slender accomplishments, like a parrot who speaks a few words plainly.” Mansa Musa mid 14th century Askia Muhammed late 15th and early 16th century

Phrenology

Craniometry

Inheritance of Ability

Scientific Racism & Eugenics