Book contents
- In the Know
- In the Know
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- Section 1 The Nature of Intelligence
- Section 2 Measuring Intelligence
- Section 3 Influences on Intelligence
- Section 4 Intelligence and Education
- Section 5 Life Consequences of Intelligence
- Section 6 Demographic Group Differences
- Section 7 Societal and Ethical Issues
- 31 Controversial or Unpopular Ideas Should Be Held to a Higher Standard of Evidence
- 32 Past Controversies Taint Modern Research on Intelligence
- 33 Intelligence Research Leads to Negative Social Policies
- 34 Intelligence Research Undermines the Fight against Inequality
- 35 Everyone Is About as Smart as I Am
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
31 - Controversial or Unpopular Ideas Should Be Held to a Higher Standard of Evidence
from Section 7 - Societal and Ethical Issues
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 October 2020
- In the Know
- In the Know
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- Section 1 The Nature of Intelligence
- Section 2 Measuring Intelligence
- Section 3 Influences on Intelligence
- Section 4 Intelligence and Education
- Section 5 Life Consequences of Intelligence
- Section 6 Demographic Group Differences
- Section 7 Societal and Ethical Issues
- 31 Controversial or Unpopular Ideas Should Be Held to a Higher Standard of Evidence
- 32 Past Controversies Taint Modern Research on Intelligence
- 33 Intelligence Research Leads to Negative Social Policies
- 34 Intelligence Research Undermines the Fight against Inequality
- 35 Everyone Is About as Smart as I Am
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
Summary
Science is built on the foundation that making new discoveries is a worthy goal. However, a single-minded pursuit of knowledge can be harmful. Classic stories like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein serve as cautionary tales of the harm that can occur when a scientist prioritizes research goals over other concerns. Although the mad scientists in these stories are fictional, these books do raise valid questions about what limits should be placed on scientists as they conduct research.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- In the KnowDebunking 35 Myths about Human Intelligence, pp. 287 - 295Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020