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The Reith Lectures: Kwame Anthony Appiah: Mistaken Identities

The Reith Lectures: Kwame Anthony Appiah - Mistaken Identities: Colour

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01/11/2016

Kwame Anthony Appiah - Mistaken Identities

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Kwame Anthony Appiah - Mistaken Identities, Colour

Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah argues for a world free of racial fixations.

Philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah appeals for a world free of racial fixations. Recorded in front of audience at the British Council in Accra, Ghana.

The philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah argues for a world free of racial fixations. 

He tells the story of Anton Wilhelm Amo Afer. He was five years old when he was brought from the Gold Coast to Germany in 1707, educated at a royal court and became an eminent philosopher. He argues that this elaborate Enlightenment experiment illuminates a series of mistaken ideas , including that there is a "racial essence" which all members of that race carry. Modern science long ago disproved this, as almost all of the world's genetic variation is found within every so-called racial group. Instead, "race is something we make; not something that makes us."

The lecture is recorded in front of an audience at the British Council in Accra, Ghana. The series is presented and chaired by Sue Lawley

The producer is Jim Frank.

The Reith Lectures: Kwame Anthony Appiah - Mistaken Identities

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah delivers the 2016 lecture series.

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