If we define intelligence as the ability to solve complex problems in complex environments then there is no objective way to measure competence or intelligence outside of society. If a gene makes you more attractive and because of this attractiveness others respond better to you and this makes you better able, with the help of others, to solve problems then this gene really has made you more intelligent. (This is different from this beauty gene causing others to falsely perceive you as being better able to solve problems than you really are.)
If a gene makes you more attractive and because of this attractiveness others respond better to you and this makes you better able, with the help of others, to solve problems then this gene really has made you more intelligent.
For that matter, if that attractiveness makes teachers more interested to spend time on teaching you, then attractiveness can also make you better-educated.
I think what we’re trying to get to with the idea of intelligence is some kind of independent mental property that doesn’t have to do with those sorts of things. What I hear you saying is that this independence is pretty much a myth!
If we define intelligence as the ability to solve complex problems in complex environments then there is no objective way to measure competence or intelligence outside of society. If a gene makes you more attractive and because of this attractiveness others respond better to you and this makes you better able, with the help of others, to solve problems then this gene really has made you more intelligent. (This is different from this beauty gene causing others to falsely perceive you as being better able to solve problems than you really are.)
For that matter, if that attractiveness makes teachers more interested to spend time on teaching you, then attractiveness can also make you better-educated.
I think what we’re trying to get to with the idea of intelligence is some kind of independent mental property that doesn’t have to do with those sorts of things. What I hear you saying is that this independence is pretty much a myth!
Yes.
Robin argues the second effect—falsely perceive—is strong.