There are considerable ideological incentives on both sides.
I don’t think it can be reasonably argued that ideological incentives and pressures have been equally strong in both directions.
[T]o form a view of my own with any real basis I’d have to research the subject enough to write a book of my own.
At one point, I spent quite a bit of time trying to make some sense of these controversies, and based on what I’ve found, I disagree with this. Even though my initial bias back then was strongly against hereditarianism, it quickly became apparent to me that the writings of prominent anti-hereditarians raise many more red flags of kinds that are readily apparent even to a reader without an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Now, of course, we may disagree about this when it comes to this particular topic. But as a more general point, I think it’s neither necessary nor useful to approach controversies with the attitude that one must suspend judgement unless one is an expert. Often there is strong evidence in favor of one or the other side that can be correctly evaluated even if one has only a casual familiarity with the subject.
it quickly became apparent to me that the writings of prominent anti-hereditarians raise many more red flags of kinds that are readily apparent even to a reader without an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
That is my general impression also. But the presence of bad arguments is a very indirect indication of where the truth of the matter itself lies, so weakly related to the matter that I judge it completely worthless. It may be interesting for other reasons, but does not bear on the primary matter and has a negative effect on the whole discussion. I have not seen a convincing reply to some of the technical matters that have been raised by the anti-hereditarians; the argument is too easily derailed into attacking the anti-hereditarians’ politics.
ETA: Perhaps more important is arguments being derailed into focussing on the weak points only.
I don’t think it can be reasonably argued that ideological incentives and pressures have been equally strong in both directions.
At one point, I spent quite a bit of time trying to make some sense of these controversies, and based on what I’ve found, I disagree with this. Even though my initial bias back then was strongly against hereditarianism, it quickly became apparent to me that the writings of prominent anti-hereditarians raise many more red flags of kinds that are readily apparent even to a reader without an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Now, of course, we may disagree about this when it comes to this particular topic. But as a more general point, I think it’s neither necessary nor useful to approach controversies with the attitude that one must suspend judgement unless one is an expert. Often there is strong evidence in favor of one or the other side that can be correctly evaluated even if one has only a casual familiarity with the subject.
That is my general impression also. But the presence of bad arguments is a very indirect indication of where the truth of the matter itself lies, so weakly related to the matter that I judge it completely worthless. It may be interesting for other reasons, but does not bear on the primary matter and has a negative effect on the whole discussion. I have not seen a convincing reply to some of the technical matters that have been raised by the anti-hereditarians; the argument is too easily derailed into attacking the anti-hereditarians’ politics.
ETA: Perhaps more important is arguments being derailed into focussing on the weak points only.