The Mismeasure of Man
BookAbout
The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould is a comprehensive critique of biological determinism, the belief that social and economic differences between human groups are primarily due to inherited traits. Gould examines the history of attempts to measure intelligence, focusing on flawed methods such as craniometry and intelligence testing. He argues that these methods are often influenced by racial and social prejudices, leading to biased conclusions about human intelligence and diversity. Gould challenges the idea of a single, quantifiable measure of intelligence, highlighting the fallacies of reification and ranking. He advocates for a nuanced understanding of human diversity, recognizing both genetic and environmental factors. The book critiques works like The Bell Curve and addresses the social implications of biological determinism. Gould's work is a powerful call for scientific rigor and intellectual honesty in understanding human differences.
