Ian McDonald's article (Features, THES , June 7) contains a blinding self-contradiction. He argues that science and argument have discredited "scientific" racism. And then he talks about attempts to rationalise and legitimate racism.
Rationalism, as defined by the Rationalist Press Association, is a view on life that proceeds by reason and experience and upholds scientific method. If racism is unscientific and unreasonable, any attempt to rationalise it is a logical fallacy.
Racism is unacceptable as part of academic discourse precisely because it is irrational and illogical.
Shirley Dent
New Humanist magazine
Common room debate hosted by Ian McDonald