Reaction to Diamond

Diamond thinks race which divide human as white or black is objective because there are many possible classifications which have equally valid procedure. Thus, he seeks more objective classifications.

However, when we focus on some traits to divide one species, we notice the presence of 1) problems of concordance and, 2) problems of hierarchy. When we divide a certain species into two groups with focusing on one trait, other traits of the two groups also divide concordantly. However, there are some traits ranging between plural races or being different among one race. Thus, if people classify one species into races based on one trait, it can be entirely different classification, depending on which trait they chose. Another problem is how detailed people divide human as race. It is depend on them and it can be arbitrary.

After that, he explains possible function of geographically variable human traits with 1) natural selection, 2) sexual selection, 3) no function at all, and tries to divide human objectively by other ways, using other traits reflecting on these function. He concludes that we need not continue to have concept of race in modern world where people meet many people of varied appearance.

I felt strange when I read the classifications by Resistance, Digestion, or Fingerprints which are, theoretically, divide human clearly. From it, I think our concept of race is stranger because it is more ambiguous and arbitrary. In modern society, the concept of race becomes more complex because internationalization spreads and people meet many people who have different traits. I think we fundamentally have to try to know the difference of other people, not limited between races.