The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races

The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races is a foundational text in the field of racial theory authored by the French diplomat and philosopher Arthur de Gobineau. The work is presented in several volumes and argues that human races possess inherent differences in moral and intellectual capacities which Gobineau believed shaped civilizations and influenced the course of history. Gobineau's primary thesis revolves around the idea of a superior white race which he argues is essential for the advancement of human society. He categorizes races into distinct groups asserting that these groups have different characteristics and abilities that contribute to their respective cultural and civilizational achievements. His views reflect the ethnocentric attitudes of his time and have been widely criticized for promoting pseudoscientific notions of racial hierarchy.