Race (human categorization)

Race (human categorization)

Race (pronunciation: /reɪs/) is a term used in the field of Anthropology and Sociology to categorize humans into large and distinct populations or groups by heritable physical characteristics, ancestry, genetics, or social relations, or by relations as perceived by others.

Etymology

The term "race" comes from the Old French race (13th century), which is derived from the Italian razza.

Related Terms

• Ethnicity
• Genetics
• Population genetics
• Human genetic variation
• Social construct

Definition

In the context of human categorization, race is a social construct that categorizes humans into groups based on physical characteristics, social relations, and the geographic locations they are associated with. The concept of race is a subject of debate and controversy, particularly in its use for classifying humans.

Historical Overview

The concept of race as a rough division of anatomically modern humans has a long and complicated history. The word race itself is modern and was used in the sense of "nation, ethnic group" during the 16th to 19th centuries and acquired its modern meaning in the field of physical anthropology only from the mid-19th century.

Controversies

The concept of race has been widely criticized for its lack of scientific validity and reliability. Many argue that race is more of a social construct than a biological one, with no clear consensus among scientists about the definition of race.

See Also

• Race and genetics
• Race and health
• Race and intelligence
• Racial inequality
• Racialization

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Race (human categorization)
• Wikipedia's article - Race (human categorization)

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