Beyond race: a prolegomenon for the study of human biological variation

The study of human biological variation has been one of the most contentious fields in the history of anthropology and science in general. Most of the current controversies revolve around the concept of race and its utilization in the study of human variation. Mindful of the complexities of current debates it is presumed that heated discussions will continue for some time. This book aims to provide a platform for better understanding amongst those involved or interested in the polemic on race It presents a critical analysis of some of the main issues involved in the study of human variation and proposes a novel approach (based on the concept of artificial classification) in this highly controversial field. Befitting the breadth of the race debate, the book should be useful not only to anthropologists but also to experts working in other disciplines, particularly the social and biomedical ciences.