Phrenology, once considered a serious study, was discredited but led to enduring manifestations of scientific racism. In the 19th century, intellectuals classified human races as distinct species, justifying oppressive colonial practices. As this idea faltered, it transitioned into eugenics in the 20th century, advocating for genetic improvements in humans. Notable supporters included Arthur Balfour in Britain. The misuse of eugenics resulted in harmful policies, including forced sterilizations and ideologies that fueled atrocities like the Holocaust. Modern genetics disproves fixed racial classifications, yet outdated beliefs persist in society, showcasing human resistance to evidence-based change.
Phrenology has been deemed a discredited theory, yet scientific racism persists, originating from the 19th-century classification of races as separate species, justifying colonialism.
Eugenics emerged as a response to ineffective racial theories, with prominent figures like Francis Galton advocating for social measures to improve the human 'stock', influencing practices from sterilization to genocide.
Modern genetics dismantles the concept of biologically distinct races, revealing that genetic variation among humans is continuous and incompatible with socially constructed notions of race.
Despite overwhelming evidence against racial categorization, beliefs rooted in scientific racism remain robust; as noted by Angela Saini, falsehoods endure in public perception.
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