Hello. I remember reading this thread on differences in IQs between the different races on this other forum, and I was engrossed by it. I would like to start a similar discussion about it on this board. Do you feel that intelligence is inborn or learned? Me, I think that intelligence is largely genetic. The environmental factor/s play a role too, although not to the same extent as genes. For example, let's say there is a child born from two eminent mathematicians. And let's assume that he has "good math genes", whatever they might be. If we completely deprived him of math, for example, we deny him of the most rudimentary knowledge about math, and he is going to grow up as a math-illiterate. And this isn't because the environmental factor is so great. It's because we have varied the environmental factor to such an extreme extent, that we "broke" his potential for math. (And we know that with most human traits, they are modified both by genes and environments, although we don't know to what extent.) Now, with the same child, as long as we give him but the most rudimentary teaching about math, he will go on to become a great mathematician. And it's because genes dominate in all spheres of intellectual abilities. Another thing I would like to point out, is the state of being curious/having curiosity. It's a concept that is related to intelligence although not entirely the same. I think most of us know that people are either born curious or they aren't. There is no way to teach someone to be curious. So again, this is another argument for genes. Either someone is born with the genes and therefore proclivity towards being curious, or he/she isn't. Also, related: how would you measure intelligence anyway? Would you use IQ tests? Your thoughts?
