Rhetoric Review Oct 2004

Scientific Definition in Rhetorical Formations: Race as "Permanent Variety" in James Cowles Prichard's Ethnology

Brent Henze

Abstract

Nineteenth-century concepts of race were closely tied to the terminology used by scientists and others to delineate human differences. The definition of a scientific concept constrains not only its meanings but also its potential relationships to other concepts. Ethnologist James Cowles Prichard redefined the taxonomical terms species, variety, and permanent variety in order to change the scientific and social meanings of racial difference. In doing so he laid claim to the "problem of race" on behalf of the young science of ethnology.

Journal
Rhetoric Review
Published
2004-10-01
DOI
10.1207/s15327981rr2304_2
Open Access
Closed
Topics
race and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Moran et al. (2012)
    A Bibliography of Works Published in the History of Professional Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Reeves (1992)
    Owning a virus: The rhetoric of scientific discovery accounts
    Rhetoric Review
Also cites 12 works outside this index ↓
  1. Ceccarelli Leah (1998)
    10.1080/00335639809384229
    Quarterly Journal of Speech  ↗
  2. Crawfurd John ((1848))
    10.2307/3014092
    Journal of the Ethnological Society of London  ↗
  3. Dunn Robert ((1856))
    10.2307/3014095
    Journal of the Ethnological Society of London  ↗
  4. Herschel, John F. W., ed. A Manual of Scientific Enquiry: Prepared for the Use of Her Majesty's Navy: and Ada…
     ↗
  5. King Richard ((1848))
    10.2307/3014082
    Journal of the Ethnological Society of London  ↗
  6. Lyne John (1990)
    10.1080/00335639009383910
    Quarterly Journal of Speech  ↗
  7. Meijer, Miriam Claude. Race and Aesthetics in the Anthropology of Petrus Camper (1722-1789). Amsterdam: Rodop…
     ↗
  8. Miles W. A ((1854))
    10.2307/3014132
    Journal of the Ethnological Society of London  ↗
  9. Owen Richard ((1850))
    10.2307/3014125
    Journal of the Ethnological Society of London  ↗
  10. Prichard, James Cowles. Researches into the Physical History of Mankind. Four vols. 3rd ed. London: Sherwood,…
     ↗
  11. Stepan, Nancy. The Idea of Race in Science: Great Britain 1800-1960. Hamden, CT: Archon, 1982.
     ↗
  12. Thomson A. S ((1854))
    10.2307/3014139
    Journal of the Ethnological Society of London  ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 8 View in citation network →

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