The Bell Curve Wars: Race, Intelligence, and the Future of America

by Steven Fraser

The Bell Curve by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray has generated a firestorm of debate, confirming for some their secret belief in the innate inferiority of certain "races" or ethnic groups, angering many who view the book as an ill-concealed racist manifesto, and worrying untold others who fear the further racial polarization of American society. In The Bell Curve Wars , a group of our country's most distinguished intellectuals dismantles the alleged scientific foundations and criticizes the alarming public policy conclusions of this incendiary book. Anyone who has wondered about the connection among genes, race, and intelligence, all those anxious about racial antagonisms in our nation, those who question the efficacy of social welfare programs, all those troubled but unconvinced by Herrnstein and Murray's book, will want to read The Bell Curve Wars.

Genres: Politics, Race, Psychology, Science, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Education

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

Reviews

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points are made, but mainly of the philosophical or procedural--not scientific--type. And a lot of it is obvious; I sort of take it for granted that "white" people aren't genetically predisposed to being more "intelligent" then people of African descent. It's hard to imagine the book being rebutted being taken seriously. But, hey, it's America. So I certainly agree with most of the things in the book, leaving it fairly unnecessary.

[Tycoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great arguments, some terrible arguments.

[Carly Milne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect. classist ideology: e.g., that correlation is causation, that the poor are inherently inferior, that whites are superior to non-whites, and that social control must be exercised to ensure/insure the rights and benefits of the "haves" are not infringed upon. What the hell is wrong with people. "The Bell Curve," as you know, took its rightful place on the shelf labeled: "hate literature seeking to contain the underclass" in the mid-nineties. I recommend this book as it has some incredible insight and writing. Jacqueline Jones' essay is a stand-out. And the title of the essay by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: "Why Now?" "The great threat to American society today is not radical socioeconomic inequality per se, but rather all of the loud and rude complaints that emanate from those who are resentful of this inequality." Jacqueline Jones.

[Abbi Dion]

What the hell is wrong with people. "The Bell Curve," as you know, took its rightful place on the shelf labeled: "hate literature seeking to contain the underclass" in the mid-nineties. The "Bell Curve Wars" is a collection of responses to "The Bell Curve", authored by twenty kick-ass thinkers. It's been fifteen years since this collection of essays was published. What has changed? What will 2025 look like? I recommend this book, however, as it has some incredible insight and writing. Jacqueline Jones' essay is a stand-out. And the title of the essay by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: "Why Now?" Perfect. I believe a better society is not only possible, but achievable. As of today, however, this country is still mired in racist and classist ideology: e.g., that correlation is causation, that the poor are inherently inferior, that whites are superior to non-whites, and that social control must be exercised to ensure/insure the rights and benefits of the "haves" are not infringed upon. "The great threat to American society today is not radical socioeconomic inequality per se, but rather all of the loud and rude complaints that emanate from those who are resentful of this inequality." Jacqueline Jones.