Nature vs. Nurture Debate
The debate which I will be delving into in this paper is known by a variety of names, but be it referred to as 'nature versus nurture' or 'blood versus environment' the players on both sides remain the same. Those who believe that human nature is determined by genetics and therefore cannot be changed are usually among the reactionary elite. They tend to be overt racists or a t least predisposed to stereotypes of ethnic groups or classes. They vehemently dispute the opposing view that can be used to threaten their privileged position in society. Proponents of the view that most human characteristics are products of the environment in which they are raised are usually on the left side of the political spectrum and criticize present social conditions. Experimentation, the best manner with which to gather evidence, is frowned upon when humans are involved so both sides of the argument are difficult to prove decisively. However, I support the view that humans are the result of the environment in which they are nurtured, especially in the early formative years of their childhood, and I believe that my opinion is better supported with compelling evidence than the opposing view. Due to the wide range that my thesis covers, I will f
ocus mainly on the debate surrounding those of African descent and the belief of many that blacks are less intelligent and more criminal than other races. Notions of racial superiority are not by any means a recent development nor solely American. Evidence of racism is found in the so-called classical society of Ancient Greece and in earlier civilizations. But actual attempts to scientifically back the claim of superiority of one race over another began in earnest in the late nineteenth century. This was instigated by the findings of Charles Darwin on evolution and an offshoot theory: Social Darwinism. Authors of such material were much more blatantly racist in their writings, freely employing slurs, and adamant that races such as Africans and Asians were incapable of civilization or even of governing themselves. They therefore concluded that such practices as imperialism or slavery were not only necessary but also beneficial. In the interests of brevity I will only discuss one author's work, Count Arthur de Gobineau's "The Inequality of Races." Rest assured, though, because discussing one is like discussing them all. The views of some in the social science community today is remarkably similar to that of Count Gobineau and his ilk, though it is couched in more circumspect and politically correct terms and is backed up with innumerable tables and graphs filled with statistics that back their conclusions. They still claim that blacks are naturally less intelligent and more 'passionate' (read: more criminal) than their Caucasian or Asian counterparts. They use these arguments to advance not imperialism or slavery but a different agenda: racial profiling, the end of affirmative action and welfare, even eugenics. They all come to conclusions that seem reasonable based upon the information and scenarios that they provide. But when one looks at some of the factors that these 'scientists' failed to account for, another picture emerges. I do not think
Some common words found in the essay are:
Philippe Rushton, , Races Rest, Caucasian Asian, Count Gobineau, Ancient Greece, Meadows School, Africans Asians, Darwinism Authors, American Evidence, cranial capacity, school school, imperialism slavery, blacks intelligent, brain size, opposing view,
Approximate Word count = 1331
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
