Stephen Jay Gould could be a polarizing figure in academic circles. He is an evolutionary scientist quoted at the Creation Museum (which opposes the idea of evolution). Still, he was an interesting writer who did an excellent job of engaging the general public. His book rebutting the arguments of the Bell Curve, The Mismeasure of Man, is a useful piece of popular science.
Science Is Fallible, That Is Kinda The Point
Gould shows us that science is fallible. It is possible to argue that we don’t always treat science with sufficient respect. Sometimes the media show crackpot notions beside scientific findings without noting the difference. Perhaps showing how science has been profoundly wrong in the past could worsen this ambivalence about science. Yet, still we must do it if we are to have science at all.
Science should be questioning. Science has been wrong in the past. What is more, the scientific consensus is surely wrong in some aspects nowadays. Acknowledging that doesn’t imply that the scientific consensus isn’t the best we have. It is certainly more accurate than the musing of drunk blokes in a pub.
When To be Most Skeptical?
The specific flaws Gould discusses help suggest when we should be most skeptical about science. The book catalogs claims about groups — races, nationalities, classes — that veer from inaccurate to ludicrous. Scientists actively sought to prove the inferiority of some. We should be skeptical because it was usually rich, well-educated, white men seeking to prove that rich, well-educated, white men were superior to everyone else.
The Mismeasure of Man
Gould describes the “Army Tests” of intelligence completed nearly a century ago. His technical critique is important. (Although some bits have been criticized). The Army Tests study’s obvious flaws mean the findings presented were never close to the “facts” about different groups as described. The social impact is even more interesting.
…the army data had their most immediate and profound impact upon the great immigration debate…
Gould, 1996, page 261
Eugenicists lobbied not only for limits to immigration, but for changing its character by imposing harsh quotes against nations of inferior stock.
Gould, 1996, page 262
Science Gives The Possibility Of Progress
People had unpleasant views about others long before “science” appeared. Bigotry doesn’t need science to justify it. I strongly believe science will, over time, rid us of unpleasant notions. For science to have this positive impact people who understand science must be willing to critique bad research and, crucially, explain to the public why claimed “facts” are often are nothing of the sort.
For more on ‘science’ based upon dodgy claims see here, here, here, and here.
Read: Stephen Jay Gould (1996) The Mismeasure of Man, Revised and Expanded, W.W.Norton and Company Ltd
