Research on group differences in intelligence: A defense of free inquiry

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. ARTICLE HISTORY

The Egalitarian Fallacy: Are Group Differences Compatible with Political Liberalism?

“…We then spell out why the existence of group differences may not be as worrisome as some people fear. In fact, we think, hostility toward people who conduct research into group differences, or toward people who summarize that research publicly, may be producing more harm than the research itself (Anomaly 2017;Carl 2018;Cofnas 2020). 2…”

Towards a Model of Valued Human Cognitive Abilities: An African Perspective Based on a Systematic Review

“…Cognitive ability is a valuable human attribute in so far as it has been shown that it has implications for life outcomes (Serpell, 1993;Lo, 2017;Cofnas, 2020). Opoku (2012, p. 538) has defined cognitive abilities as "all activities generated from within the conscious mind which influence our behavior."…”

“…The definition, measurement, and research around intelligence is both popular and controversial (Lo, 2017;Oppong, 2017a;Cofnas, 2020). A more controversial aspect of intelligence research has been the persistent attempts (speculatively or empirically) to explain the group differences in terms of genotypic variance (Deary et al, 2010).…”

A Study on Rural and Urban Children in Respect of Intelligence

“…intelligence are due to environmental factors (Cofnas, 2019). According to a researcher in his paper that the mean intelligence quotients of 11-year old children living in rural areas have been compared with those of children in urban areas.…”