Evolution and Racism
David Campbell (bivalve@email.unc.edu)
Fri, 16 Aug 1996 13:59:43 -0500> In summary, I have problems with the atheistic evolutionary approach
>because, no matter how you try to explain it, the approach leads to a
>racist position. What is the evolutionary explanation of my
>dilemma?
>
If your sole purpose is to increase the representation of your genes in
future generations, then oppressing people who don't look much like you is
potentially an effective strategy. You can't say that your race is better
than another based on evolutionary evidence, nor can you justify
complaining if someone who doesn't look like you gets the same idea and
oppresses you in some way.
As far as I know, the evolutionary explanation is to make a leap of
faith and say that racism is wrong.
Since people are similar enough to interbreed fully, there's not
much evolutionary justification for any limits on interracial marriage (the
"if you can't beat them, join them" strategy).