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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Article on race by David Livingstone Smith published in 'Philosophy Talks' e-newsletter

On January 27, 2015, Philosophy Talks published an article in its e-newsletter by David Livingstone Smith, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, titled 鈥淐ould Race be in Your Genes?鈥

In the article, Smith first tackles the question of whether race is real or merely an illusion. Then, supposing that race is real, he delves into the issue of what makes it real, pondering if it is biologically real (analogous to breeds of dogs) or if it only exists as a social convention.

鈥淎fter all, money is real, and so are days of the week, but their ostensible reality depends on our social conventions,鈥 he writes. 鈥淧erhaps racial categories like 鈥榖lack鈥 and 鈥榳hite鈥 are more like Mondays and Tuesdays than they are like beagle and corgis.鈥

The entire article is available by joining Philosophy Talks.

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The University of 51小黄车 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.