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The IQ Controversy
A collection of essays providing a review of the debate over IQ testing, the argument over genetic factors in IQ differences, and the social, educational, and political implications of the various issues
557 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 1976
17 people want to read
About the author
Ned Block
18 books28 followersNed Joel Block (born 1942) is an American philosopher working in the field of the philosophy of mind who has made important contributions to matters of consciousness and cognitive science. In 1971, he obtained his Ph.D. from Harvard University under Hilary Putnam. He went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an assistant professor of philosophy (1971-1977), worked as associate professor of philosophy (1977-1983), professor of philosophy (1983-1996) and served as chair of the philosophy section (1989-1995). He has, since 1996, been a professor in the departments of philosophy and psychology at New York University (NYU).
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August 13, 2024
A COLLECTION OF CRITICAL LITERATURE ON THIS DEBATE
The editors note in the Introduction to this 1976 book, "There is perhaps no issue in the history of science that presents such a complex mingling of conceptual, methodological, psychological, ethical, political, and sociological questions as the controversy over whether intelligence has a substantial genetic component... The title of this reader is accurate. We do not attempt to present `all sides of the issue.' We have brought together the best of the critical literature."
One article notes, "To say that children do not change their IQ is not the same as saying they cannot. Moreover, [Arthur] Jensen is curiously silent on the lower correlation and apparent plasticity of IQ at younger ages, which is, after all, the chief point of [Benjamin] Bloom's work." (Pg. 83)
One writer summarizes, "What does the alleged high heritability if IQ imply about genetic differences between ethnic groups? The answer to this question is unequivocal: nothing. Geneticists have been pointing out for well over half a century that it is meaningless to try to separate genetic and environmental contributions to measured differences between different strains bred under different developmental conditions. Between ethnic groups, as between socioeconomic groups, there are systematic differences in developmental conditions... known to influence performance on IQ tests substantially." (Pg. 201)
Another notes, "In spite of ... Jensen's idealized assumptions about equal opportunity and the natural assorting process, [he and others] based their objective data on the real world of economic and social privilege. With highly questionable sociological data, they proceeded to even more questionable biological considerations. That leap from sociology to genetics was an act of faith." (Pg. 356)
This book will be of interest to anyone interested in the IQ controversy.
The editors note in the Introduction to this 1976 book, "There is perhaps no issue in the history of science that presents such a complex mingling of conceptual, methodological, psychological, ethical, political, and sociological questions as the controversy over whether intelligence has a substantial genetic component... The title of this reader is accurate. We do not attempt to present `all sides of the issue.' We have brought together the best of the critical literature."
One article notes, "To say that children do not change their IQ is not the same as saying they cannot. Moreover, [Arthur] Jensen is curiously silent on the lower correlation and apparent plasticity of IQ at younger ages, which is, after all, the chief point of [Benjamin] Bloom's work." (Pg. 83)
One writer summarizes, "What does the alleged high heritability if IQ imply about genetic differences between ethnic groups? The answer to this question is unequivocal: nothing. Geneticists have been pointing out for well over half a century that it is meaningless to try to separate genetic and environmental contributions to measured differences between different strains bred under different developmental conditions. Between ethnic groups, as between socioeconomic groups, there are systematic differences in developmental conditions... known to influence performance on IQ tests substantially." (Pg. 201)
Another notes, "In spite of ... Jensen's idealized assumptions about equal opportunity and the natural assorting process, [he and others] based their objective data on the real world of economic and social privilege. With highly questionable sociological data, they proceeded to even more questionable biological considerations. That leap from sociology to genetics was an act of faith." (Pg. 356)
This book will be of interest to anyone interested in the IQ controversy.
Displaying 1 of 1 review