The first post-Classical published classification of humans into distinct races seems to be François Bernier's Nouvelle division de la terre par les différents espèces ou races qui l'habitent ("New division of Earth by the different species or races which inhabit it"), published in 1684. In the 18th century the differences among human groups became a focus of scientific investigation. But the scientific classification of phenotypic variation was frequently coupled with racist ideas about innate predispositions of different groups, always attributing the most desirable features to the White, European race and arranging the other races along a continuum of progressively undesirable attributes. The 1735 classification of Carl Linnaeus, inventor of zoological taxonomy, divided the human race Homo sapiens into continental varieties of europaeus, asiaticus, americanus, and afer, each associated with a different humour: sanguine, melancholic, choleric, and phlegmatic, respectively. Homo sapiens europaeus was described as active, acute, and adventurous, whereas Homo sapiens afer was said to be crafty, lazy, and careless. COUNT 5
QSN1 Who was the author of the first published book classifying humans into distinct races? ANS1 François Bernier QSN2 In what century did differences among human groups become a focus of science? ANS2 18th century QSN3 What race was typically ascribed the most desirable features? ANS3 White QSN4 How was Homo sapiens europaeus described as? ANS4 active, acute, and adventurous QSN5 What attributes were bestowed on homo spaiens afer? ANS5 crafty, lazy, and careless