Posted by special_k on March 28, 2006, at 11:18:54
In reply to Re: critique of the bell curve, posted by AuntieMel on March 27, 2006, at 10:44:46
> Well, sure if you have people using one thing to "prove" the case for eugenics...
*support* the case for eugenics...
> But those who argue for eugenics don't need a test to prove thier case. Reason doesn't really play there, does it?
sure it does. there are some very sophisticated arguments involved. they typically aren't taught... probably in case people don't understand how they go wrong. but there are some very sophisticated arguments. if i started up with them.... you might have some trouble showing how they are in error... did you know the us and the uk were implementic eugenics policies before hitler took it to the extreme? that is what brought the whole thing in disrepute (as something to be feared). before that... it was fairly much considered to be 'common knowledge'. do you want me to consider some of the arguments? might be interesting... but some people might feel offended. then there is always the very real possibility that there would be a very good argument that nobody could come up with a refutation for...
> But it doesn't do anyone any good to deny that for some people there *is* that gift.
sorry what gift? what is a gift? are we still talking about score on an IQ test of giving us knowledge of ones intelligence? a gift from god i presume...
> Just as it doesn't do anyone any good to deny that some are better looking, more athletic, more musical, kinder, gentler or possessing any other gift they are born with.
>
er... why does it do us good to focus on these things? that is what i'm having trouble with. why does it do us good to focus on these?suppose someone is judged not to be musical.
is she likely to persist... or to give up trying?
how do you know she wouldn't have become a wonderful musician if she had persisted?
is the validity of the tests really the most important thing?
whatever happened to humanity?
poster:special_k
thread:622738
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060322/msgs/625491.html