personAAA t1_iu7h6lj wrote
Paper in question he wrote:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09515089.2019.1697803
Abstract
>In a very short time, it is likely that we will identify many of the genetic variants underlying individual differences in intelligence. We should be prepared for the possibility that these variants are not distributed identically among all geographic populations, and that this explains some of the phenotypic differences in measured intelligence among groups. However, some philosophers and scientists believe that we should refrain from conducting research that might demonstrate the (partly) genetic origin of group differences in IQ. Many scholars view academic interest in this topic as inherently morally suspect or even racist. The majority of philosophers and social scientists take it for granted that all population differences in intelligence are due to environmental factors. The present paper argues that the widespread practice of ignoring or rejecting research on intelligence differences can have unintended negative consequences. Social policies predicated on environmentalist theories of group differences may fail to achieve their aims. Large swaths of academic work in both the humanities and social sciences assume the truth of environmentalism and are vulnerable to being undermined. We have failed to work through the moral implications of group differences to prepare for the possibility that they will be shown to exist.
personAAA t1_iu7h7u9 wrote
Sounds like his critics prove him right.
modsarebrainstems t1_iu7hul2 wrote
And yet he didn't actually say anything objectionable in that passage at least. More like his critics proved themselves to be exactly what he claimed they were all along.
OtisTetraxReigns t1_iu7tn7h wrote
There are some serious flaws with his whole hypothesis if it’s based on using IQ as a measure of “intelligence”. That test has been shown repeatedly to be heavily culturally biased. If you’ve never encountered one before, you’re likely to score worse than someone who has. All it really tests is your ability to take IQ tests.
FistingLube t1_iua4ceq wrote
IQ tests are stupid.
Payed_Looser t1_iu9d953 wrote
Depends on the age group and such. IQ tests are designed to check for mental shortcomings not celebrate the difference between 130 and 140
It is very useful to figure out who needs to be processed for a SPED ruling
OtisTetraxReigns t1_iu9ewfm wrote
Tell that to the people determined to use it to “prove” that Africans and their descendants are naturally mentally inferior.
Hydra_70 t1_iubql8b wrote
>All it really tests is your ability to take IQ tests.
That's oversimplifying it. It clearly measures something. Childhood IQ tests correlate too strongly to all sorts of life outcomes to be as meaningless as just measuring your ability to take an IQ test.
OtisTetraxReigns t1_iubwe5r wrote
Oh sure. I was being a little deliberately obtuse. They can be used to demonstrate that a person has certain cognitive abilities that we in the West have deemed are indicators of intelligence - logic puzzles, pattern recognition, mathematics, grammar and syntax tests. But not every culture values these things the same. And someone who doesn’t score highly on such a test doesn’t necessarily lack intelligence. Anyone can improve their IQ score simply by taking repeated tests and learning how they work.
If you’re from a culture where such tests are fairly common, you’ve got more chance of getting a high score. Even within one geographical area, chances are, if you go to a decent school, you’ll be better prepared than someone who doesn’t.
Sevinceur-Invocateur t1_iu8sye4 wrote
I don’t think any culture is better at taking those tests than others.
OtisTetraxReigns t1_iu9ef3e wrote
Cool.
That aligns you with a small handful of right-wing “thinkers” who are desperate to prove that black people are just naturally inferior to everyone else. This opinion is based on one paper, published in 1980, that reads like it was written by a KKK member cosplaying as an academic, but gets trotted out as a counter-argument by the types of websites that rant about “the left” “dismissing college”.
Sevinceur-Invocateur t1_iu9mqq2 wrote
All I meant is that people, regardless of background, do not usually take those tests. Thus nobody can be prepared for it.
OtisTetraxReigns t1_iu9o3ej wrote
That’s not what you said at all.
healthnotes34 t1_iu9wlbr wrote
It also false
Sevinceur-Invocateur t1_iuae2oo wrote
With your comment as context, yes that’s absolutely what I said.
Lvl100Centrist t1_iu834gh wrote
This doesn't sound like a paper on intelligence but more on a paper against academics whom the author disagrees with. He is not talking about genetics or intelligence. He is complaining about an imaginary stifling of intelligence research despite the massive amounts of intelligence research that exists.
This is basically a meta-discussion, its not science. The author is a culture warrior that does not seem to accept that his side of the argument lost; having little science to back up his beliefs, he now turns to attack those who disagree with him.
personAAA t1_iu84bnr wrote
Article is in a philosophy journal. Paper is about ethics. He argues it is ethical to do scientific research that connects genetics and intelligence even if racial groups are found.
Edit typo
Lvl100Centrist t1_iu88puj wrote
Such research has been done and was done for a long, long time. Its not forbidden.
Its just that the scientific consensus points to these ideas being wrong.
The author refuses to accept this and just wrote a paper to complain and smear those who disagree.
If the author could actually do research and provide insights into the intelligence of "racial groups" that would be science. He would be providing new insights and challenging our understanding of these matters.
But he can't do this, so he goes after his fellow colleagues.
Icy_Reception9719 t1_iu8asc9 wrote
Could you link a research review or something elaborating on the scientific consensus you mention? This is the first time I've heard someone being categorical on this topic, but it's not exactly an area I'm familiar with.
Lvl100Centrist t1_iu8ca0b wrote
Bell Curve - An extremely popular best seller. Yet we are told that this kind of books are forbidden. This is done in bad faith.
The Mythical Taboo on Race and Intelligence - yet the "race researcher" mentioned in this post is inventing imaginary oppression.
https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/science-genetics-reshaping-race-debate-21st-century/ - there are no separate or distinct "races". A "race" is a sociopolitical classification, not a genetic or biological one.
Measure the "intelligence" (a difficult thing in itself) of groups that cannot be objectively defined is destined to fail.
ABinturong t1_iu8wf46 wrote
The dummies downvoting you need a time out, thanks for the sources!
Lvl100Centrist t1_iu8yxpw wrote
I am used to it. People pushing these race & intelligence narratives are almost always vicious authoritarians.
Icy_Reception9719 t1_iu8cgfb wrote
Thanks, I'll give these a read.
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