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To: Liberal Classic; A. Pole
I strongly object to your implication that science is racist

Science is not about morality.

A Brief Analysis of 'The Bell Curve'

Abstract

The Bell Curve (Hernstein & Murray, 1994) has continued to elicit sharp reaction and criticism. The messengers and the message have both been challenged on empirical and moral grounds and the debate continues to rage on. This article will attempt to briefly review some of the challenges, while admitting that a full analysis of the subject would require another volume, or series of books, which have begun to emerge in response to The Bell Curve. The issue of race is discussed, as are the possible influences of funding and the danger of such motivation in public policy. The size of the heritable effect of IQ is discussed, as is the effect of the environment.

Introduction

The Bell Curve (Hernstein & Murray, 1994) has provoked some of the sharpest debates and attacks in this decade (Jacoby & Glauberman, 1995). In subtle and not so subtle ways, the authors of The Bell Curve have used intelligence research to substantiate claims that African- Americans are genetically inferior in intellectual abilities and capabilities. While these claims are not new (see Osbourne, Noble, & Weyle, 1978), The Bell Curve has touched upon issues that are not only sensitive to the majority of persons in this country (Betancourt & Lopez, 1993), but also basic to the establishment of governmental public policy
126 posted on 11/08/2005 6:38:54 PM PST by AndrewC (Darwinian logic -- It is just-so if it is just-so)
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To: AndrewC
From the conclusions of this same article:

The Bell Curve perhaps achieved its purpose by sparking academic debate. The subsequent books, replies, articles and popular press coverage that ensued after the release of The Bell Curve was tremendous, to say the least. From an academic standpoint, this can not be thought of as a negative, and I am reminded of the work of Levay and the attention he received to a lesser extent.

The difficulty lies in the fact that soon after the release of the book, affirmative action became a matter of national debate in Congress, as well as in the journals. The politicians cited the book, and took the message to heart. I can recall reading the front page of USA Today, in which the lead article mentioned why psychologists felt as if affirmative action failed. The book reads like a great prosecuting attorney, talking to the jury about the events prior to the day of the crime. The story is long, emotional, selective, and nothing is added to the story unless it helps establish the one point that the person at hand is guilty. From the first chapter on, it is clear that the book is a setup for the later chapters.

The arguments of Hernstein and Murray are to be taken seriously. As Rushton and Jensen have attempted to put forth an agenda of intellectual superiority, so have the authors of The Bell Curve . The claims of intellectual group superiority has held back women and minorities since the mid 1800's (Rollins, 1996). It is hoped that the debates against The Bell Curve put to rest in the claims that intelligence is tied to a gene that is related to skin color.

Seems more like a social, than a scientific, review.

ps. Skin color (IIRC) is tied to more than one gene, and correlates highest with environment (i.e., intense sunlight).

130 posted on 11/08/2005 6:44:55 PM PST by Coyoteman (I love the sound of beta decay in the morning!)
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To: AndrewC

I knew someone would raise The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life.


134 posted on 11/08/2005 6:47:41 PM PST by Liberal Classic (No better friend, no worse enemy. Semper Fi.)
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