Cattell's Courage

Raymond Cattell argued for at least a partial role for genetics among sociologists which is greater than the almost zero now maintained. Cattell asked, why discourage the multiplication of exceptional people? The challenges we face on earth and out into the cosmos require smarter humans. It's interesting that individuals and even ethnic groups are increasingly consulting with genetic specialists before having children, even without the sanction of sociologists.

Injustice is the equal treatment of unequals, but Cattell said we can have an equal attention to raise the intelligence of all people. There is a genetic lag in the strength of our primitive “pugnacity” and sex instincts, which often are stronger than the needs of civilization. The roots of intelligence seen in empirical studies are in the genetic pool, and statistics show an increase in unemployment and crime in people with IQ's below 90 or even 100. This needs to be considered. Cattell believed that without  counter measures large groups tend to decline into selfish and destructive behavior.

But we can only raise levels in the raw material, which education and culture will then shape, and families continue to pass on more values than schools or church.

Wars have offered negative selection, the fit are mostly chosen and then they can be lost to the nation, and this can later sink the nation into second rate status. But peace also has a cost because altruistic qualities are underproduced, at least in the West, as the media appeals more to consumer sexuality and pugnacity.

Cattell was not looking for the production of one type, he was not a racist in that sense, a variety of gifts are needed, and deficiencies need to to be balanced. We need to raise the rate of average intelligence, which is the only permanent way to end many of the ills of the civilized world and the future world. We cannot merely rely on intelligent computers to save us.

I affirm the path of our evolution as sacred, with a continuing increase in intelligence, truth, beauty and goodness---we need more than intelligent monsters, we need people with good character as well---as we evolve toward Godhood, the God first glimpsed in the Inward Path of traditional religion.