Sociology Argument: Race= Valid Means of Classifying

[KC9FVV]

The last couple days in Sociology have been very argumentative. Here's why

Why Race Exists As a Valid Means of Classification

We humans have created a device to help classify and recognize the physical differences between living organisms. This identification system was created in order to help us recognize more specific referrals (both mentally and socially.). A general rule of writing is that when more details are contained in a text, a more specific, recognizable image will result.
In order to fully understand the concept of race and subspecies, one must grasp the construct in which these definitions are contained. This system of creature classification is known as taxology. Taxology is defined as:

‘The theories and techniques of naming, describing, and classifying organisms. The taxonomic hierarchy is, from top to bottom: kingdom, phylum (for animals) or division (for plants and fungi), class, order, family, genus, species, subspecies.’ (www.hyperdictionary.com)

Now to better analogize, let us inverse identify a creature via this structural hierarchy of systematic identification. Our subject will be the Chihuahua:

· 1st, we must define the organism’s subspecies, which is ‘Chihuahua’ (a subspecies is a taxonomic subdivision of a species consisting of an interbreeding, usually geographically isolated population of organisms.).
· 2nd, we must identify the organism’s species, ‘C. Lupus’ (Canis Lupus). Remember, a species is ‘taxonomic group whose members can interbreed’. (www.dictionary.com)
· 3rd, the organism’s genus must be identified. In the case of the Chihuahua, the organism’s genus. In the case of the Chihuahua, the genus is ‘Canis’.
· 4th, we must establish the family which the organism is a part of. The Chihuahua is part of the ‘Canidae’ family.
· 5th, we place the organism in a certain order. The Chihuahua belongs to the order, ‘Carnivora’.
· 6th, we determine the class, which is ‘mammalia’.
· 7th, the Chihuahua is identified as belonging to a much larger phylum, the Chordates.

So if we were to compare a Chihuahua’s taxonomic record to that of the Great Dane, we would see something like this:

Note that both the Chihuahua and the Great Dane are of the same species, yet they are subdivided according to their subspecies. If you’ll remember, a subspecies is a taxonomic subdivision of a species consisting of an interbreeding, usually geographically isolated population of organisms. So let us dissect that definition and reconstruct it in layman’s terms. ‘A species consisting of an interbreeding’ (this means that different subspecies of the same species are capable of breeding with each other, and may produce fertile offspring), ‘usually geographically isolated population’ (this translates into the certain subspecies developing significantly different traits due to adaptations acquired through their geographical location. Isolated infers that said subspecies was separated from other subspecies, barring gene exchange [making it so that the subspecies may not mate with other various subspecies], ensuring the success of a separate, yet extremely similar form of the species.)

While I think most of this is true (a friend of mine made this in response to my teacher thinking there isn't race classification), it's mostly the title that bothers me (what are we classifying, even?), and thinking that there are decisive biological distinctions between races.

I have read the 3 part discover articles on race (not that I really remember much) and it seems that it disagrees with the posted document.

 

[Ouabache]

Cody,
Race is being used in science to distinguish populations (with biological differences) within the same species. For instance race has been used to differentiate fungi of the same species, which exhibit different mechanisms of pathogenicity to overcome a plant's resistance.

Fusarium has been subdivided into pathogenic races...

ref

Since 1955 when Phytophthora root rot was first documented in the United States, 14 resistance genes and more than 40 races of the fungal pathogen have been identified.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3741/is_n10_v45/ai_20095588

when a pathogenic race develops that can overcome the specific resistance, all cultivars bearing the same gene for resistance are vulnerable.

http://pnw-ag.wsu.edu/smallgrains/Stripe Rust.html

 

[ravenprp]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the topic of race as a valid means of classification. It is certainly a complex and controversial issue that has been debated for a long time. While I understand the argument presented, I do have some concerns about using race as a means of classification.

Firstly, race is a socially constructed concept that has changed over time and varies across different cultures. The categories we use to classify race are not based on biological distinctions, but rather on cultural and societal perceptions of physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features. These categories are not fixed and can differ from one society to another, making it difficult to use race as a universal means of classification.

Additionally, the concept of race has been used to justify discrimination and oppression throughout history. The belief in racial superiority has been used to justify colonialism, slavery, and other forms of oppression. Using race as a means of classification can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and perpetuate systemic racism.

Furthermore, scientific research has shown that there is more genetic variation within racial groups than between them. This means that the genetic differences between individuals within the same racial group can be greater than the differences between individuals from different racial groups. This undermines the idea that race is a valid means of classification based on biological distinctions.

In conclusion, while I understand the argument presented, I believe that race is not a valid means of classification. It is a socially constructed concept that has been used to justify discrimination and does not have a clear biological basis. Instead, we should focus on recognizing and celebrating the diversity within our species, rather than trying to classify and divide people based on arbitrary categories.