Is the concept of race ambiguous or unambiguous and why?

Question

Is the concept of race ambiguous or unambiguous and why?

Answer 1

There is variation for traits in all species. A race is often defined as a group of distinct features that are present in a population that separate it from its other conspecifics (similar to the idea of a subspecies). Since humans do not form independent groups, but are more like a grade of traits, race is ambiguous.

A Turkish person can be more similar to a Greek morphologically than it is to an Arabian or a Greek is to a French man, but Turkish and Arabians are grouped as Middle Eastern, while Greeks and French are grouped as white caucasians.

Race when used biologically is an outdated topic thus ethnicity is a better usage in differentiating humans.

Answer 2

Oh, its very messy indeed.

Consider, Charlise Theron is African (from South Africa) and American.  She is an African American.  Charlize Theron has flawless pale white skin.  To die for.

Barak Obama has dark skin, but hails from the carribean and a fairly contorted family tree.  Do we still refer to him as African American?

Unfortunately, the only real trackable method of understanding race is to follow genes (genotypes), not appearance (phenotype).  Since people move from region to region and mate with anyone they find appealing, not just those with similar genes, it gets very messy.

Answer 3

I am fed up to the back teeth answering this question, but here I go again.  First. There is but ONE RACE, and we all are descended from the same family, who,  were the survivors of the Great Flood, If you believe the bible you will find there names in the book of Genesis.  If you dont, then you will have to consult the other sources, including Geological records, which, I am informed, does have somthing to say about the Great Flood.

Answer 4

DNA mapping and genetic studies show "race" is a superficial and ambiguous concept.

Answer 5

Think of it terms of breeds of dogs, the AKC has over a hundred listed. They are all in the wolf family, and can produce viable offspring with one another, like humans, although a Great Dane and a chihuahua might need some artificial help...  :-)

Like so, we are all part of the same species, and our differences are external and cosmetic, internally, we are identical...