- John Baker (biologist)
Dr. John Randal Baker F.R.S. (1900-1984) was a biologist, physical anthropologist, and professor at the
University of Oxford (where he was theEmeritus Reader inCytology ) in the mid-twentieth century. He is best remembered for his 1974 book "Race", which classifies human races in the same way in which animalsubspecies are classified.In "Race", Baker explores the nature of
civilization , giving 23 criteria by which civilizations may be identified. He explores the relationship between the biological traits and the cultures of five civilizations. Based on these criteria, Baker declared that Mesoamerican societies such as theAztec s and Maya were not civilizations, and that no indigenous civilizations ever arose inAfrica . Baker rejected themethodological relativism that has characterized anthropology since the days ofFranz Boas , instead going back to earlier ideas ofhereditarianism andcultural evolution .Works
* "Sex in man and animals" ... with a preface by
Julian S. Huxley , 1926
* "Man and animals in the New Hebrides", 1929
* "Cytological technique", 1933
* "Biology in everyday life", 1934
* "Chemical control of conception", with a chapter byH. M. Carleton , 1935
* "Scientific life", 1942
* "Science and the planned state", 1945
* "Discovery of the uses of colouring agents in biological micro-technique", 1945
* "Path of science", byC.E. Kenneth Mees ... with the cooperation of John R. Baker ... 1946
* "Principles of biological microtechnique; a study of fixation and dyeing", 1958
* "Cytological technique; the principles underlying routine methods", 1960
* "Cell structure and its interpretation"; essays presented to John Randal Baker, F.R.S. Edited by S. M. McGee-Russell and K. F. A. Ross, 1968
* "Race", 1974
* "Evolution : the modern synthesis" byJulian Huxley ; with a new introd. edited by John R. Baker, 1974
* "Freedom of science", 1975
* "Julian Huxley, scientist and world citizen, 1887 to 1975 : a biographical memoir", with a bibliography compiled byJens-Peter Green , 1978
* "Biology of parasitic protozoa", 1982
* "Cell theory : a restatement, history, and critique", 1988
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