Question about one potential cause of racism...?

Question

Does the theory of evolution promote racism by giving some the idea that some races may be more evolved than others?

My question would be better phrased: is evolutionary thought a contributing factor to racism?

Answer 1

No way, there is only one race concerning us human beings- that's the human race. Physical traits are minor things- biologically w're all the same. There are no ethnicities that are more 'developed' than others, that's a farfetched idea.
It's people's inability to understand and tolerate others that bring about racism.

Answer 2

i honestly don't know about evolution, but racism has a million causes. such as bad life experiences with a different race could cause a person to start having racist thoughts and ideals. there's also scientific racism such as the whole race/intelligence thing stating that some races where infinitely smarter than others. scientific racism could play a major role in racism because certain people might think that biologically their smarter than others due to race.

Answer 3

Some people think that's true. But I don't.

There's nothing in Darwin's theory to suggest that some races are more evolved. People who are already racists use the theory as a justification for what they already believe.

The most recent scientific information tells us that race doesn't even really exist on a biological level. Different races just -look- different, but under the skin they are so alike that we can interchange parts!

Answer 4

Well, it isn't a valid point, but I can't deny that some people who misunderstand evolution could draw that conclusion, so, possibly. But the idea would then be promoted by misinterpretation and ignorance, rather than evolution itself. Evolution, as applied to race, means that each race develops different traits, but not that one race is any better or worse than any other.

Answer 5

No. Science has proven that races are not at different evolutionary stages. There were people who tried to use this argument, but they were undoubtedly proved wrong. Any reference to evolution promoting racism comes from misunderstanding of evolution and false information.

Answer 6

People were racist before the theory of evolution arose, so it's more about the way people view others. But races are not evolved more than others because we are all homo sapiens. To be "less evolved" would put us into a different, non-human, category. And besides we all originated from the same place (Africa) and then migrated.

Answer 7

there became no reason at the back of slavery in the yank Colonies as procuring and merchandising slaves became an appropriate practice for the time of that factor. Slaves weren't seen to be equivalent to whites so racism isn't a ingredient the two. Racism did not happen until eventually after slavery became abolished.

Answer 8

No, I do not see how the theory of evolution could cause racism. Racism is caused by fear of what you do not know,which in turn causes hate, the worst 4 letter word in the English language.

Answer 9

i think because there are differences in the physical make up of the different races eg twitch muscle fibres ie blacks are better at sprinting (note there hasnt been a white winner of the 100m at the olympics since 1980 and then it was a scottish dude and they are practically black anyway i think) then some people can take this and use it to prove certain races are better than others. but then you could argue we dont need to be fast runners anymore so fast runners are less evolved. either way ive lost my train of thought and the point i was trying to make has no escaped - im going for a nice lie down now

Answer 10

Your idea has merit, but I believe it gives too much credit for intelligence to those who are racist. They may use it as proof for their beliefs, but I doubt that it would cause a person to have racist thought. Generally, racism is born out of ignorance, not intelligence. And it is taught, not naturally believed. When you regard innocent children playing together, you will see no racism...unless parents have intervened at an early age.