New Aspects of the Concept of Racial Classification

An Examination of Cavalli Sforza and Cavalli Sforza - The Great Human Diaspora

Abstract

The perception of Humankind being divided into several distinct races, some of them even thought of as superior/inferior to others, unfortunately still dominates around the world, and it appears as if human rights abuses and discrimination under a 'racist' point of view are still committed today, although after the official abolition of slavery beginning with the Era of the Enlightenment and the recognition of the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade we should know better. Still until very recently 'races' were defined by even serious scholars by their physical marks only, while less serious though highly acclaimed writers even ascribed cultural values to them. Cavalli-Sforza has now presented data based on his genetic research and those of his colleagues which give a much more refined picture of various groups of the species Homo sapiens sapiens. The physical marks of the various human races are apparently due to genetic mutations to help groups adapt to the climate of their habitat. Thus we should rather speak of one race only: that of Homo sapiens sapiens.