The Bell Curve

[Martin Hash]

Critical thinking completely collapsed when it was confronted by self-interest and democracy. Egalitarianism, the idea that all people are equal appeals to those who are measurably not equal, and in a society that rewards inequality, that makes the stakes the highest possible, meaning any science that supports inequality must be demonized. This is what happened to the notorious 1994 book “The Bell Curve” which argues using irrefutable data & scientific analysis that intelligence the is best predictor of group outcomes; essential it proves nature, not nurture, is the true source of social division in the U.S.

The book makes the following claims “beyond significant technical dispute:”
1. Human beings have different cognitive abilities.
2. Cognitive ability is substantially inherited: (40-80%).
3. IQ tests are an accurate way to measure cognitive ability.
4. IQ scores are relatively stable throughout life.
5. IQ tests are not biased against social, economic, ethnic, or racial groups.

The specious argument against The Bell Curve concept is to conflate individuals with groups. Bell Curve data requires huge numbers to be predictive, and doesn’t even recognize the concept of individuals, but since anecdotal claims are so prevalent, it needs to be explained: on a racially-segregate IQ Bell Curve, the average white is higher than the average black, but all of those people, white or black or anything else, match up IQ-wise everywhere along the curve xcept at the very tail ends. If people would simply address those outliers, the other 95% of society could move along without confrontation, but apparently everyone worries they are an outlier because feeling inferior is also a basic human trait.

However the more concerning position towards Bell Curve analysis is ideological: tacitly accepting the fact that intelligence gives some groups an edge over others so to reverse that trend they take the egalitarian position that everything should be made equal: from those according to their ability, to those according to their need, a total reversal of meritocracy & liberty, rejecting the very idea that people benefit from their own efforts; turning The Bell Curve into a weapon.