2007-06-04 18:12:16 · 14 answers · asked by Sereny 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Well, I believe that the only way that society would be different is if along with their higher IQ they also had the trait of many intelligent people that is compassion and empathy for others so it would be a more compassionate, kinder, selfless, and giving, society.
2007-06-04 18:22:02 · answer #1 · answered by special_k_live 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although it is a factor, I don't think the intelligence level of the general public is as important as other characteristics such as concepts of ethics and morality. Intelligent people are not de facto above evil or even simple malfeasance. In fact a case might be made that they are more prone to it. Some of the nicest people I have ever met weren't exactly Einsteins, but they had appealing personalities. There aren't many smart politicians or celebreties, but they have personal appeal. It would be better for society if these people had higher IQ's.
I assume that the basis for your question is elevation of all people whose IQ is less than 150 to 150 as a minimum, compressing the normal statistical curve.
Overall, I don't think it would be a bad thing to elevate the intellegence of society, but there would really need some other measures taken to make real change in society; such as availability of education.
2007-06-05 06:02:00 · answer #2 · answered by Malcolm D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Intelligence Quotients are more a reflection of the efficiency of intellectual compliance to one's environment, rather than a statement of general intellegence and capacity for thought.
If everyone tested at 150 or above, we'd likely have a society of obedient, detail oriented pseudo intellectuals. The real geniuses would still be outcasts, only now their potential for contributing innovatively would be met with more militative opposition. Society on the outside would appear more conformed, automated and mechanistic. There would be less flexibility in individual expression, and too much emphasis on validation via peer review. Details would overshadow the bigger picture in people's perceptions of reality, and society would reflect that by being even more political and bureaucratic.
Manual labor would be at a deficit, but the engineering of automated manufacturing would likely compensate. People are still people, and they would still make decisions for the short term and not consider the long term ramifications.
Men would loose ground, as their intelligence would be specialised to the point that they are intellectually isolated. They would be the technicians and engineers, hidden away in back rooms. Women with higher IQ's would end up running almost all of the administrative infostructure.
Stupid ideas would still flourish, only now they would be more articulated, more layered and more distracting.
Perhaps the best thing about the possibility is that the infotainment media structure would have no audience. Television would cease to exist. No one would care about Paris Hilton or the 99% programming aimed at the lowest common denominator. Religion would still exist, but it would consider intellectual contributions much like the advances of the first 300 years of Islam and the intellecual Chrisitanity of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Atheist questions would be considered and relgious ideas would be adjusted to reflect a more philosphical tone rather than a primitive tribal one.
People would fill the void in their lives with drugs that bring them down, rather than pep them up. Alchoholism would likely skyrocket. Depression would increase due to the lack of fullfillment in work. If this type of society were to formulate a progressive oriented agenda, then eventually the use of money would be obliterated in favour of bartering of goods and services.
2007-06-04 21:55:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
IQ is relative. That's not possible unless they started the score at 150, which would make 150 pretty stupid.
If you mean what if everyone was smart, then society wouldn't be much different becuase there will always be people at the bottom and top of the IQ graph.
2007-06-04 18:16:45 · answer #4 · answered by Born at an early age 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Having an IQ that high wouldn't make any difference if one was uneducated, or undereducated, or as in our country, poorly educated. Nor would it help if one was unmotivated.
High IQs are also useless to the superstitious and prejudiced, in my opinion. There are probably many, many people running around now with IQs that high who will never reach the potential of that IQ.
2007-06-04 18:26:27 · answer #5 · answered by LodiTX 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Essentially, IQ's would still be on a bell-shaped curve, thus making the distribution of "smart" and "dumb" people the same. Perhaps society would function more efficiently, but again, everyone would be used to it, and no one would care.
2007-06-04 18:18:35 · answer #6 · answered by le_fantome_de_la_bibliotheque 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not much, you would still have people with little common sense, high IQ are only based on academic knowledge not practical knowledge, Eienstien could not do simple math equations in school, he failed math, and he could not learn how to drive a car. many other people, with high IQ's have lack of basic social skills or functionality. You'll still have jerks,and people who choose to be stupid as a result of there tremendous intellect,.
2007-06-04 18:22:48 · answer #7 · answered by edjdonnell 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Much less religious influence in public policy for one.
Less populist appeal claptrap in political campaigns.
No more FOX news channel.
2007-06-04 18:17:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Impossible. They would make all the IQ tests harder.
2007-06-04 23:37:12 · answer #9 · answered by driving_blindly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Geniuses wouldn't be special and everybody could solve riddles and puzzles like nobody's business.
2007-06-04 18:16:34 · answer #10 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋