Science and the Ideology of Race in Western Democracies
By Ute Deichmann
DSA Commentary: Ute Deichmann is a professor and the director of the Jacques Loeb Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Prof. Deichmann is an expert in science under totalitarian regimes, and has written two books on the subject: Biologists under Hitler and Flee, Collaborate, Forget: Chemistry and Biochemistry under National Socialism. This post is an article she has written titled Science and the Ideology of Race in Western Democracies that compares DEI ideology to National Socialism in Germany. This paper has been rejected by multiple journals for being too controversial, so it is coming out here for now. Hopefully it will be published in the peer-reviewed literature eventually.
Abstract: Starting with a detailed analysis of a recent prominent case of ideological interference in chemistry, this essay examines the violation of longstanding academic principles by the new ideology of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI). The imposition of this principle by public opinion, administration, and mass media, particularly in the United States but also in other countries, contradicts the principle of equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, nationality, and class, by putting the emphasis of assessment on group identities. The implementation of this principle has begun to damage careers, threaten scientists, and lower standards in academia.
In order to provide a historical perspective, I review the impact of the implementation of racial principles into academia through anti-Jewish measures in Nazi Germany, pointing to similarities in content and method, and highlighting the fundamental differences between the systems. The essay concludes that the cultural norms, including a merit system based on individual achievements that have enabled science to generate superior knowledge, are at risk through the principle of DEI and its emphasis on group identities as criteria of assessments.
Excellent essay, providing an insightful analysis of modern trends through the lens of history. One can say -- nothing is new under the Sun -- the idea that people should be treated not as individuals but as representatives of groups, groups being defined by their immutable characteristics, keeps resurfacing again and again. Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, and now the Western democracies are taken by it. It is important to highlight these parallels -- perhaps, it will make people pause and think where the DEI road is taking us.
Good points Ute. DEI is destroying science and fairness. Judging people by their immutable characteristics is wrong and has historical precedent. Thank you for pointing the historical similarities