Here's a serious question:Do you think your intelligence depends on genetics, or is there a spiritual element?

Question

What's your reaction to this story:

LONDON - London's Science Museum canceled a Friday talk by Nobel Prize-winning geneticist James Watson after the co-discoverer of DNA's structure told a newspaper that Africans and Europeans had different levels of intelligence.

James Watson provoked widespread outrage with his comments to The Sunday Times, which quoted the 79-year-old American as saying he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours — whereas all the testing says not really."

He told the paper he hoped that everyone was equal, but added: "people who have to deal with black employees find this not true."

The comments drew condemnation from British lawmakers, scientists, and civil rights campaigners. On Wednesday The Independent newspaper put Watson on its front page, against the words: "Africans are less intelligent than Westerners, says DNA pioneer."

Answer 1

I believe everyone has their intelligence in the area they are born with. Some are more intelligent in this area & others are more intelligent in another area. There is much to learn & know.

Some of the geneouses may even be born retarded.

There are intelligent Africans & there are intelligent Europeans.

And intelligence also has to do with ones life experiences & education.

For the spiritual element. Godly wisdom, knowledge & understanding are gifts of the Holy Spirit. When receiving these gifts, we learn & become more intelligent.

Answer 2

Understanding,education and opportunity. Basic education is not really based on intelligence, more so it is being able to recount that which you have learned. Understanding what you have learned is slightly different. Where as comprehension may be slightly different the same goes for all. It doesn`t matter a collibosher what genetics, religion or colour you are. If you don`t have access to the right oppertunities then learning and understanding are limited. I would say to the headline you quote that while there is no truth or even basis in the remark, the developed world, in my opinion, deny the developing world the oppertuntity to understand, educate and indeed compound the whole issue on purpose for the sole gain of the so called developed world. We may hear about all the aid that goes to africa for example,through charities and trusts. It is true to say that if you are in economic dire straights the most important thing you must learn is survival, to the exclusion of all else. The intellectual mind,like all other parts of the body needs nurture and exercise. I`ll stop ranting on now.

And another thing, it is interesting to note that this person was the pioneer of DNA, genetics and the like this is frightening stuff. They`ll be wanting to clone more dolly sheeps to stop starvation in the third world with the added gene to stop people becoming indavduals. now I`ll stop ranting

Answer 3

People act like a scientist is some kind of God when it comes to knowledge but they are just humans who excel in some specialized fields of intelligence, this does not give them authority over everything else. If it is true what he said because then it is an absurd statement and I am assuming this guy never left the chemistry lab to meet people. I do believe smart people beget other smart people, as do athletic people do like wise, but this does not mean a smart person can't beget a dumbas s or an athlete can't beget a smart person. A lot of it is how you raise them also, around a lot of things that stimulate the mind. Also since the concept has of intelligence has only been around for a few hundred thousands years with us humans, there is no telling if inteeligence is necessary for survival since many believe we will wipe each other off the planet one way or another. In other words there are plenty of organisms that survive who we would called less intelligent creatures such as ants, rats, etc... Additionally, the smartest known creature next to ourselves is the chimpanzee and they are on the verge of extinction while many other primate families who have smaller brains like baboons are more fit for survival. If intelligence was the final word then why is that so?

Answer 4

It is certain that environment,nutrition education,etc affect the development of the intelligence a great deal,but the point that different races own different genetic and biological traits should not be missed,so why wouldn't it apply to the capacity of intelligence?
In my opinion,the reason behind so much condemnation is that what Watson mentioned drags the intelligence into debate,and this makes people irritated and maybe they find it sort of galling,just like the scientific fact that humans share a common ancestor with modern African apes, like gorillas and chimpanzees has been acting on religious people.

Answer 5

Intelligence completely relies upon on genetics, and that i'm no longer alongside with the religious ingredient in genetics, through fact, i think spirituality is something above and previous genetics. Spirituality comes from the Karma of the guy. of course religious dad and mom can inculcate spirituality of their babies, yet that want no longer be a genetic effect. we've examples of non-religious dad and mom having spiritually-oriented babies. Intelligence may well be of categories (mathematical, actual, emotional,etc) , and so the offspring inherits the form of intelligence of its dad and mom.

Answer 6

Tough to answer since your 1st question has nothing to do with your 2nd question.

1) spirits have nothing to do with reality.
I would have to say genetics plays a role, smart people can give birth to smart offspring, but it wouldn't be 100% of the time. Other factors also define intelligence. Did you see CSI with the genius and the metal pin in his brain, hard-wiring the 2 hemispheres of his brain?

2) I know that models (America's Most Smartest Model) are dumber than a bag of rocks no matter what color they are.
And, of course Africans are less intelligent than Westerners, we have a better educational system. We also have the luxury of free time instead of being abused by religious beliefs, famine, and war. Free time to read a book, take an interest in the world around us.

Answer 7

Intelligence is a subtle concept with influences from culture (programming), genetics (hardware), experience (data input). There are also different kinds of intelligence: emotional, intellectual, physical, cultural, and location-specific.

Watson is a lightning rod on this issue. Much of his speculation has been taken out of context. Unfortunately, the issue is also highly emotionally charged.

It really depends on what sorts of intelligence is being evaluated. For example, I may be reasonably intelligent in San Francisco, but damned stupid in Sahara Desert, especially if my life depended on what I knew.

btw, your question is not related to the news story. But that's ok. The question is good, even if the source is unrelated.

Answer 8

I just read in a magizine that have traces of lead in your system can cause one to be less intelectual. Thus one westerner is smarter than the other. Genetics can also be changed or altered based on environment, the genome or something. Plus there is the nature versus nurture debate. Its all so complicated.
I think its naive to categorize one race to another. All of us are subject to different things in life to alter our genetics. Are hillbillies dumber than businessmen? This is a similar comparison. Everyone is exposed to different things that effect genetics. Down to a mom that hugs, to a mom that takes her prenatal vitamins, to certain seasons or starvation, or whatever the case may be. I don't know that I'd call this article wise. Its trying to categorize genetics too widely.
So the question of genetics versus spirituality? In my opinion the hand of God outweighs genetics hands down. But I do believe that God leaves alot of it to genetics...but he is all powerful and has the ability to intervene, if he so chooses.

Answer 9

I believe intelligence is not just the capacity to learn but the Will is involved which is spirit that will direct ones actions to seek out Wisdom....I beleive in Destiny for a select Few that have a devine genetic Code to accomplish the specific task given by God.....but i beleive you have others that will learn very little through out life when concerning real Wisdom....and i'm not talking about Worldly wisdom either...because that is only temperary.

Back to your question......I believe that there was a time before this flesh dispensation where all the sons of God Sang together..it's in the book of Job.......I believe we lived before this flesh age......I'm not talking about reincarnation,.. because to be reincarnated would be to be born in the flesh over and over,....Now what i'm saying is we lived in our spiritual body until Satan's rebellion,.....then this is why we have been born in the flesh,....this is the time of Salvation,....God wants to salvage those he lost in Satan's rebellion....but God new us from when we were created and many followed after the false one....the 1/3 of the sons of God were decieved and you have those that just didn't care basically those that ride the fence so to speak,....and you have those that served him fervently....that's why you can look at peoples DNA to understand the depth of there intelligence because we will be given that fleshly genetic code that resembles our souls intent that we were during the time before this flesh dispensation.....People will do as they did from from the standpoint of there souls maturity.....but now we are given a chance of Salvation through Christ....if it be your will.....because to choose Christ is what real intelligence is all about.....Thanks over and out!

Answer 10

watson is an embarrassment.

intelligence is subjective and based entirely on environment, including nutrition of the parents before conception and nutrition plus stimulation of the child. it's not genetic at all.

people need to realize poverty in the western world in not even close to poverty in underdeveloped nations. nutrition is a huge factor... did you know that in south america some children eat dirt because they don't get enough iron... what kind of chances does a person like that have to learn anything? that not genetics.