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
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Topics
rhetorical criticism race and writing
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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

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