However, several prominent figures have contributed significantly to the understanding of race as a social construct and its lack of scientific validity:
* Richard Lewontin: This geneticist famously showed that more genetic variation exists within racial groups than between them. His work is a cornerstone in challenging the biological basis of race.
* Stephen Jay Gould: This paleontologist and evolutionary biologist criticized the concept of race as a flawed classification system and argued that it was used to justify inequality and oppression.
* Ruth Benedict: This anthropologist emphasized the importance of cultural factors in shaping human behavior and challenged the idea that racial groups have inherent differences in abilities or traits.
* Franz Boas: This anthropologist pioneered the study of cultural relativity and demonstrated the plasticity of human biology in response to environmental factors, undermining the idea of fixed racial categories.
It's essential to understand that:
* The statement "Old fashioned concepts of race are not only socially divisive but scientifically wrong" reflects a consensus in the scientific community.
* There's a vast body of scientific evidence that disproves the biological basis of race.
* While acknowledging the social reality of race, it's crucial to recognize that it's a social construct, not a biological reality.
Remember, attributing this statement to a specific individual might be misleading as it represents a broader scientific understanding.