--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe the present state of our…" description: "\"“I believe the present state of our knowledge justifies us in saying that, while individuals differ, biological differences are small. There is no reas..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/franz-boas-23198_believe-race_i-believe-the-present-state-of-our-knowl_1459764.png" --- # I believe the present state of our knowledge justifies us… ![“I believe the present state of our knowledge justifies us in saying that, while individuals differ, biological differences are small. There is no reason to believe that one race is by nature so much more intelligent, endowed with great will power, or emotionally more stable than another that the…” quote by Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/franz-boas-23198_believe-race_i-believe-the-present-state-of-our-knowl_1459764.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/franz-boas-23198_believe-race_i-believe-the-present-state-of-our-knowl_1459764.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/franz-boas-23198_believe-race_i-believe-the-present-state-of-our-knowl_1459764.png) > ““I believe the present state of our knowledge justifies us in saying that, while individuals differ, biological differences are small. There is no reason to believe that one race is by nature so much more intelligent, endowed with great will power, or emotionally more stable than another that the difference would materially influence its culture.”” [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human biological differences are minimal and do not determine cultural or intellectual superiority among races. **In simple terms:** Biology shows races are similar. Key Takeaway Judge people by character, not race. Themes equality science culture Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - education policy - diversity training - public discourse - research ethics Key Concepts anthropology genetics social bias Questions to Reflect On - Can we fully separate biology from social constructs? - How can societies reduce bias? A Different Perspective Historical misuse of science can reinforce stereotypes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-race-414586/) [Biological Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biological-differences-943536/) [Differ Biological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differ-biological-5270130/) [Differences Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences-small-5270131/) [Individuals Differ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuals-differ-1295122/) ## Related quotes > [Individuals differ in how empathic they are. Some people would really flinch if they watched me hitting my hand with a hammer, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bloom/individuals-differ-in-how-empathic-they-are-some-people-would-really/) [Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bloom/) > [You can think of individuals as differ­ent light bulbs. There will be a differences in wattage and in color. There will be differences in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/you-can-think-of-individuals-as-differ-ent-light-bulbs-there-will-be/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [There's going to be biological differences between the genders. There's going to be biological differences between two women or two men. There's biological differences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/there-s-going-to-be-biological-differences-between-the-genders-there-2/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [“Diamond writes, can be summarized in a single sentence: “History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples’ environments, not because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-wade/diamond-writes-can-be-summarized-in-a-single-sentence-history/) [Nicholas Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-wade/) > [I do not deny certain kinds of biological differences. But I always ask under what conditions, under what discursive and institutional conditions, do certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/i-do-not-deny-certain-kinds-of-biological-differences-but-i-always/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“The scientific picture emerging now is that there may be very small biological differences, but that these can be so easily reinforced by society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-saini/the-scientific-picture-emerging-now-is-that-there-may-be-very-small/) [Angela Saini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-saini/) > [There's going to be biological differences between the genders. There's going to be biological differences between two women or two men. There's biological differences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/there-s-going-to-be-biological-differences-between-the-genders-there/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples' environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/history-followed-different-courses-for-different-peoples-because-of/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [I don't pretend there aren't biological differences, but I don't believe the desire for leadership is hardwired biology, not the desire to win or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/i-don-t-pretend-there-aren-t-biological-differences-but-i-don-t/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [I believe there is only one race - the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-parks/i-believe-there-is-only-one-race-the-human-race/) [Rosa Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-parks/) > [I think some people feel that if you question the reality of race, you're questioning racism; you're saying racism isn't real. Racism is real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/i-think-some-people-feel-that-if-you-question-the-reality-of-race-you/) [Rachel Dolezal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dolezal/) > [I believe that we have to be so race-conscious in this day and age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-ari-parker/i-believe-that-we-have-to-be-so-race-conscious-in-this-day-and-age/) [Nicole Ari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-ari-parker/) > [Some people in this nation believe that race is a significant factor in the constant attacks against President Obama. Others believe that these attacks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-forbes/some-people-in-this-nation-believe-that-race-is-a-significant-factor/) [James A. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-forbes/) > [“You are so articulate.” Translated by a person of color as, “I can’t believe someone from your race is so smart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudy-bourgeois/you-are-so-articulate-translated-by-a-person-of-color-as-i-can-t/) [Trudy Bourgeois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudy-bourgeois/) > [I do not believe in race as such. Race is a fraud. All modern people are the conglomeration of so many ethnic mixtures that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-do-not-believe-in-race-as-such-race-is-a-fraud-all-modern-people/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More by Franz Boas > [The passion for seeking the truth for truth's sake...can be kept alive only if we continue to seek the truth for truth's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/the-passion-for-seeking-the-truth-for-truth-s-sake-can-be-kept-alive/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [If we were to select the most intelligent, imaginative, energetic, and emotionally stable third of mankind, all races would be present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/if-we-were-to-select-the-most-intelligent-imaginative-energetic-and/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [We all know scientists who in private life do not come up to the standard of truthfulness, but who, nevertheless, would not consciously falsify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/we-all-know-scientists-who-in-private-life-do-not-come-up-to-the/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [We do not discuss the anatomical, physiological, and mental characteristics of man considered as an individual; but we are interested in the diversity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/we-do-not-discuss-the-anatomical-physiological-and-mental/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [The behavior of an individual is determined not by his racial affiliation, but by the character of his ancestry and his cultural environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/the-behavior-of-an-individual-is-determined-not-by-his-racial/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [It is our task to inquire into the causes that have brought about the observed differentiation, and to investigate the sequence of events that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/it-is-our-task-to-inquire-into-the-causes-that-have-brought-about-the/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [Furthermore, the study of the present surroundings is insufficient: the history of the people, the influence of the regions through which it has passed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/furthermore-the-study-of-the-present-surroundings-is-insufficient-the/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [The historical development of the work of anthropologists seems to single out clearly a domain of knowledge that heretofore has not been treated by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/the-historical-development-of-the-work-of-anthropologists-seems-to/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [The disease of mutual distrust among nations is the bane of modern civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/the-disease-of-mutual-distrust-among-nations-is-the-bane-of-modern/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [Courtesy, modesty, good manners, conformity to definite ethical standards are universal, but what constitutes courtesy, modesty, good manners, and definite ethical standards is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/courtesy-modesty-good-manners-conformity-to-definite-ethical/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [No one has ever proved that a human being, through his descent from a certain group of people, must of necessity have certain mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/no-one-has-ever-proved-that-a-human-being-through-his-descent-from-a/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [The existence of any pure race with special endowments is a myth, as is the belief that there are races all of whose members…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/the-existence-of-any-pure-race-with-special-endowments-is-a-myth-as/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [This idea was also brought out very clearly by Wallace, who emphasized that apparently reasonable activities of man might very well have developed without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/this-idea-was-also-brought-out-very-clearly-by-wallace-who-emphasized/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [ Its \[the anthropological method\] power to make us understand the roots from which our civilization has sprung, that it impresses us with the relative… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/its-the-anthropological-method-power-to-make-us-understand-the-roots/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) > [Not so the scientist. The very essence of his life is the service of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-boas/not-so-the-scientist-the-very-essence-of-his-life-is-the-service-of/) [Franz Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) [Explore all 26 Franz Boas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-boas/) ## More Believe Race quotes > [I do not believe in race as such. Race is a fraud. All modern people are the conglomeration of so many ethnic mixtures that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-do-not-believe-in-race-as-such-race-is-a-fraud-all-modern-people/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“You are so articulate.” Translated by a person of color as, “I can’t believe someone from your race is so smart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudy-bourgeois/you-are-so-articulate-translated-by-a-person-of-color-as-i-can-t/) [Trudy Bourgeois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudy-bourgeois/) > [Some people in this nation believe that race is a significant factor in the constant attacks against President Obama. Others believe that these attacks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-forbes/some-people-in-this-nation-believe-that-race-is-a-significant-factor/) [James A. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-forbes/) > [I believe that we have to be so race-conscious in this day and age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-ari-parker/i-believe-that-we-have-to-be-so-race-conscious-in-this-day-and-age/) [Nicole Ari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-ari-parker/) > [I think some people feel that if you question the reality of race, you're questioning racism; you're saying racism isn't real. Racism is real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/i-think-some-people-feel-that-if-you-question-the-reality-of-race-you/) [Rachel Dolezal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dolezal/) > [I believe there is only one race - the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-parks/i-believe-there-is-only-one-race-the-human-race/) [Rosa Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-parks/) > [I believe race is too heavy a burden to carry into the 21st century. It's time to lay it down. We all came here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-believe-race-is-too-heavy-a-burden-to-carry-into-the-21st-century/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I believe that my race will succeed in proportion as it learns to do a common thing in an uncommon manner; learns to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/i-believe-that-my-race-will-succeed-in-proportion-as-it-learns-to-do/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [I believe in my race, colour. I never felt inferior to anyone. Maybe that's why the folks who made me feel that way, may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viv-richards/i-believe-in-my-race-colour-i-never-felt-inferior-to-anyone-maybe/) [Viv Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viv-richards/) > [I believe that while race-neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-believe-that-while-race-neutral-means-are-preferable-it-is/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [It's very difficult for I think any player in any sport to want to play for a guy that doesn't believe in their race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/it-s-very-difficult-for-i-think-any-player-in-any-sport-to-want-to/) [Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/) > [What I believe about race is that race is not real. It's not a biological reality. It's a hierarchical system that was created to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/what-i-believe-about-race-is-that-race-is-not-real-it-s-not-a/) [Rachel Dolezal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dolezal/) [Browse all 13 Believe Race quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-race-414586/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I believe the present state of our knowledge justifies us in saying that, while individuals differ, biological differences are small. 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