Towards a Philosophy of Science for Black - White Studies

摘要

This paper explores apparent phenotypical differences between White and Black people at the group level; explains how ethnocenticity in social science leads to inappropriate understanding of the significance of observed differences; and sets forth a way of understanding differences that would be more effective in promoting constructive intergroup relations. Black and White people are more alike than they are different, but group-level differences in motivation and world view have led to power imbalance between the two groups. Prototypical White societies, northern-European, developed societies that assigned highest value to mental abilities associated with control over nature and dominance. Prototypical Black societies, Africans, assigned highest value to mental abilities associated with harmony with nature and communality.