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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

hosted by Ian McDonald