Quote:
Originally Posted by Ainoow
This was my OP, and it covers most of what you said. Two issues:
1. the fear that it would be abused
2. the question whether this is realistic. Regardless the question whether Watson's statements are based on opinion or hard facts, CAN we just wipe away the hypothesis that 'intelligence', together with several other traits, can be a parameter distinguishing different ethnic groups.
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Ainoow, okay, I think we’re going in circles here.
So on the first issue; we seem to agree that Watson’s reported pronouncements could have negative consequences. There are prior examples from recent history of the outcome of this kind of thinking, such as the apartheid policy in South Africa; the eugenics experiments and gas ovens of the Nazis; and the practices of the Australian government towards Aboriginal people. The common thread in all these examples (and there are other examples) can be traced to the ideas of racial differences that evolved in 18th and 19th Century scientific and social theories.
As to the second issue; I understood the question in your OP. I answered you with my own question, “Ask yourself, Ainoow, how can this be established one way or the other?” As a general rule, there would be a difference between a hypothesis based on hard facts, and one based on an opinion. However, when it comes to ascertaining differences of intelligence among different ethnic groups, what kind of evidence would constitute a “hard fact”? It seems that you are asking if Watson’s hypothesis should be dismissed, even if it is purely an opinion. The question that needs to be asked is, what possible good would come from giving it any credibility?
You ask: “Can anyone guarantee that it is bs?”…. That line of question is an entrapment. If I say “yes”, I’d have to argue with facts to counter the hypothesis. If I say “no”, I’d be giving credence to the hypothesis. The onus to prove a hypothesis is on the one who pronounces it.
But let’s turn to what James Watson has said in response to the reaction his words provoked:
Quote:
"I am mortified about what has happened," Watson said. "More importantly, I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said.
"I can certainly understand why people, reading those words, have reacted in the ways they have. To all those who have drawn the inference from my words that Africa, as a continent, is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologize unreservedly. That is not what I meant. More importantly from my point of view, there is no scientific basis for such a belief."
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Newsvine - Scientist Apologizes for Hurtful Remarks
So, Watson himself says there is no scientific basis for the belief he is reported to have expressed.
Tethys