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Notes -
I also suspect that this is true, but it doesn't require scepticism about IQ or even not thinking that hereditary IQ is a major determinant of academic or commercial success at an individual level. A large part of group differences is not statistically explained, and many explanatory factors (like agreeableness and conscientiousness) have a cultural aspect to them.
Of course, a HBD theorist might say that cultural differences are themselves largely genetic in origin, but I would want to look at twin studies, adoptee studies, and similar evidence before believing that.
That would be an argument against genetic determinism rather than in favor. Thus undermining the wider HBD position.
Yes, my point is that scepticism about HBD doesn't require scepticism about IQ, scepticism about IQ being largely (or even mostly) genetically determined, or scepticism about IQ being an important factor in life outcomes.
And my point is that my skepticism of HBD largely stems from my skepticism of IQ. Like I said above, I've had too much first-hand experience with both ends of the bell curve to buy that IQ is anything more than a very loose proxy for actual intelligence.
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