The term “subhuman species” sometimes appears in popular culture or historical discussions, implying a hierarchy of life forms with humans at the top. However, from a modern biological and scientific standpoint, this concept is not a recognized or valid scientific classification. Science does not categorize life in this manner. This article explains why this term is scientifically problematic and how life is actually classified, highlighting our relationships with other species without suggesting any are “lesser.”
Understanding Biological Classification
Modern biological classification, known as taxonomy, organizes living organisms into a nested hierarchy based on shared evolutionary ancestry, rather than a linear scale of “higher” or “lower” forms. The current taxonomic system consists of eight main levels, from the broadest to the most specific: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
Each level, or taxon, groups organisms with increasingly similar characteristics and evolutionary histories. Organisms that share more classification levels are considered more closely related. Scientists typically refer to an organism by its genus and species, a two-word scientific name known as binomial nomenclature.
Homo sapiens, the scientific name for modern humans, fits within this classification system. We belong to the order Primates and the family Hominidae, which includes great apes. This classification places us within a broader group of organisms with whom we share a common lineage, demonstrating interconnectedness. The system emphasizes shared ancestry and relationships, not a ranking of species.
Our Evolutionary Kin
The scientific understanding of human evolution further illustrates why the term “subhuman species” is inaccurate. Humans, Homo sapiens, are members of the Hominidae family, which includes orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. These are distinct species with shared ancestry, not “lesser” versions of humans.
Within the Hominidae family, humans are part of the Hominini tribe, which also includes chimpanzees and their common ancestors. The genus Homo encompasses both anatomically modern humans and various extinct human relatives. Examples of these extinct hominins include Homo erectus, Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis), and Denisovans. These species are understood as branches on the evolutionary tree, each with their own unique traits and adaptations, rather than stepping stones leading directly to Homo sapiens.
The fossil record and genetic evidence provide insights into these relationships, showing a complex evolutionary history with multiple hominin species coexisting at various times. For instance, Homo sapiens lived contemporaneously with Neanderthals for a period. These extinct relatives are recognized as distinct species, not as biologically “subhuman,” as they represent different evolutionary paths from shared ancestors.
The Societal Impact of the Term
The term “subhuman species” has been historically used outside of scientific contexts, often associated with harmful ideologies. It has been employed to categorize certain groups of people as inherently inferior, denying their dignity and rights. This pseudoscientific concept was a tool for dehumanization, justifying discrimination, violence, and oppression.
For example, the term “Aryan race” was a pseudoscientific concept adopted by Nazi Germany to portray certain groups as “racially inferior sub-humans.” This ideology led to horrific atrocities, including the extermination of Jews, Roma, and Slavs. Such historical misuse demonstrates the power of this terminology to inflict real-world harm.
Beyond its historical misuse, the term remains ethically reprehensible because it contradicts the scientific understanding of human diversity. Modern biology recognizes that all humans belong to a single species, Homo sapiens, with genetic variations that do not support any hierarchical classification of races or subspecies. The rejection of “subhuman species” in science is based on biological accuracy and a commitment to ethical principles that affirm the equal value and dignity of all human beings.