White science, black origin: biodeterminism throughout history

Abstract

Exploring biodeterminism from a historical perspective, the 19th century served as the stage for the proliferation of this ideology. It was characterized by a fascination with science, and facts that could be subjected to scientific scrutiny and quantification held an almost unshakable credibility. Racial theories emerged during this period, garnering followers across nations. These productions are categorized as racist and contribute to one of the branches of racism known as scientific racism. Academic endeavors aimed to substantiate beliefs that scientists held as unquestionable truths: the existence of distinct human races and the hierarchical ranking among them. Thus, consistently assigning lesser intelligence to indigenous and black populations, believed to be more physiologically predisposed to manual labor. Using human skulls and mathematical calculations, these theories sought to justify the European capitalist expansion, which flourished through the institution of slavery. Despite a lack of methodological rigor, these studies gained traction, extending their influence into other realms of knowledge such as criminology and psychology. Many of the preconceived and racist notions that persist in society today find their roots in these works. Although lacking credibility, these ideas manage.