On Genetic Inferiority

ok doser

ok doser

lifeguard at the cement pond
The concept appears to be uncomfortable for many here.

I believe that everybody will agree that genetic variation occurs, due to natural causes or by those imposed upon the human organism.

Why is it controversial to recognize that some variations are more beneficial than others?

For example, isn't an increased ability to reason desirable/superior/better?

Who would choose to have their children's mental capacities diminished?

perkovic_sandra_throw.jpg
 
Quetzal

Quetzal

New member
ok doser said:
The concept appears to be uncomfortable for many here.

I believe that everybody will agree that genetic variation occurs, due to natural causes or by those imposed upon the human organism.

Why is it controversial to recognize that some variations are more beneficial than others?

For example, isn't an increased ability to reason desirable/superior/better?

Who would choose to have their children's mental capacities diminished?
Click to expand...
Example, please.
 
ok doser

ok doser

lifeguard at the cement pond
well, i believe I gave one


Would you rather have a child with a high IQ or a low IQ?
 
CabinetMaker

CabinetMaker

Member of the 10 year club on TOL!!
Hall of Fame
ok doser said:
The concept appears to be uncomfortable for many here.

I believe that everybody will agree that genetic variation occurs, due to natural causes or by those imposed upon the human organism.

Why is it controversial to recognize that some variations are more beneficial than others?

For example, isn't an increased ability to reason desirable/superior/better?

Who would choose to have their children's mental capacities diminished?

perkovic_sandra_throw.jpg
Click to expand...
You are attempting to arbitrarily categorize people based on the gifts God gave them. A lower IQ does not mean that a person is somehow inferior to somebody with a higher IQ. They are different. Each person will have their strengths and weaknesses.

Would I want my child to have a higher IQ? Wouldn't it be better if my child was gifted with athletic prowess? Society seems to value athletic prowess above everything. Same with entertainers. Maybe a spectacular singing voice is more beneficial than a higher IQ.

How divisive do you want to be? Are you going to say that a person with Downs Syndrome is worthless?
 
nikolai_42

nikolai_42

Well-known member
ok doser said:
The concept appears to be uncomfortable for many here.

I believe that everybody will agree that genetic variation occurs, due to natural causes or by those imposed upon the human organism.

Why is it controversial to recognize that some variations are more beneficial than others?

For example, isn't an increased ability to reason desirable/superior/better?

Who would choose to have their children's mental capacities diminished?

perkovic_sandra_throw.jpg
Click to expand...

If you had the choice of fathering the next Einstein, Hawking, Newton or Feynman...the next medical pioneer who nearly single-handedly eradicates some dread disease (use ebola as an example)...the next president who yanks the country out of recession and makes it the strongest militarily in the world (all while virtually eliminating unemployment)...or even the next superstar athlete who is wildly successful in 3 professional sports at the same time...

....if you had the choice between that and having a child who was slightly below average in intelligence...was not much to look at and had difficulty making friends - BUT - knew the Lord personally, was a fervent and effective man of prayer and was graced with the Spirit of God such that his few simple words became the vehicle of conviction for many...and who was thus used to bring many to a place of humility before God (and ultimately to salvation)....

Which would you choose?

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
I Corinthians 1:23-29
 
nikolai_42

nikolai_42

Well-known member
ok doser said:
let me try again:


absent all other considerations:

Would you rather have a child with a high IQ or a low IQ?
Click to expand...

So should we ignore the fact that man's pride is his downfall and any such natural success is almost sure to destroy him unless he is born again from above? Should we ignore the fact that God looks on the heart and that we are told to judge righteous judgment and not according to appearances?

If we can ignore that (and a whole host of other biblical injunctions), then what does it matter what one's IQ is? Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die!
 
ok doser

ok doser

lifeguard at the cement pond
nikolai_42 said:
If we can ignore that (and a whole host of other biblical injunctions), then what does it matter what one's IQ is?
Click to expand...


well, it can make the difference between remembering not to stick the fork in the electrical outlet and forgetting that you shouldn't stick the fork in the electrical outlet


so there's that
 
nikolai_42

nikolai_42

Well-known member
ok doser said:
well, it can make the difference between remembering not to stick the fork in the electrical outlet and forgetting that you shouldn't stick the fork in the electrical outlet


so there's that
Click to expand...

So? If you want to stick the fork in the outlet, why not do it? Once all other considerations are eliminated, it all comes down to what you want...not even smarts matters - except to manipulate others, possibly.
 
theophilus

theophilus

Well-known member
ok doser said:
well, it can make the difference between remembering not to stick the fork in the electrical outlet and forgetting that you shouldn't stick the fork in the electrical outlet


so there's that
Click to expand...

If one is smart they will only stick the fork in the outlet ONCE.

If one is not so smart it may take more than once.

If someone is not even that smart then somebody who loves them will need to plug the outlet to prevent injury.

:)

*And I am genetically inferior by virtue of a plethora of non-dominant traits.
 
nikolai_42

nikolai_42

Well-known member
theophilus said:
If one is smart they will only stick the fork in the outlet ONCE.

If one is not so smart it may take more than once.

If someone is not even that smart then somebody who loves them will need to plug the outlet to prevent injury.

:)

*And I am genetically inferior by virtue of a plethora of non-dominant traits.
Click to expand...

Let me guess...blue eyes?
 
theophilus

theophilus

Well-known member
Technically: Lack of Brown.

Literally: Blue-green.

Earlobes NOT attached to the head.

Tall

Fair

Blonde

And quite the <donkey.gif>
 
Quetzal

Quetzal

New member
ok doser said:
well, i believe I gave one


Would you rather have a child with a high IQ or a low IQ?
Click to expand...
You are leading to a much larger thesis and I would appreciate a little bit of transparency here. What is your primary point you are trying to make?
 
nikolai_42

nikolai_42

Well-known member
theophilus said:
Technically: Lack of Brown.

Literally: Blue-green.

Earlobes NOT attached to the head.

Tall

Fair

Blonde

And quite the <donkey.gif>
Click to expand...

Yes..quite the mutant! Though in all seriousness, hair color and earlobe attachment are both examples (apparently) of more of a spectrum of traits controlled by multiple genes. Sorry...more normal than you think.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top