Eh. It’s hard for me to argue that knowing the truth of something is a bad thing. The harm comes from believing falsehoods. Knowing the results of one or more IQ tests can be true (you did in fact get that score on that test) and helpful. Believing that the number on the test is identical to your actual IQ, or that IQ by itself means very much, is incorrect and harmful.
It can help (if high) in inspiring you to study and think about more difficult topics. It can help (high or not) by reminding you that you need to work harder than some on difficult topics. It can help in helping you figure out what personality strengths to develop that complement your pure cognitive strengths. It can help in reminding you that there is _always_ someone smarter, and that most of the time that difference is overrated.
It can harm by forgetting that it’s a very imperfect measure, if it makes you feel superior or if it causes you to dismiss others’ ideas and opinions. Or if it demotivates you, or makes you think you can’t approach difficult topics.
Eh. It’s hard for me to argue that knowing the truth of something is a bad thing. The harm comes from believing falsehoods. Knowing the results of one or more IQ tests can be true (you did in fact get that score on that test) and helpful.
Believing that the number on the test is identical to your actual IQ, or that IQ by itself means very much, is incorrect and harmful.
It can help (if high) in inspiring you to study and think about more difficult topics. It can help (high or not) by reminding you that you need to work harder than some on difficult topics. It can help in helping you figure out what personality strengths to develop that complement your pure cognitive strengths. It can help in reminding you that there is _always_ someone smarter, and that most of the time that difference is overrated.
It can harm by forgetting that it’s a very imperfect measure, if it makes you feel superior or if it causes you to dismiss others’ ideas and opinions. Or if it demotivates you, or makes you think you can’t approach difficult topics.