2007.08.06: August 6, 2007: COS - Thailand: Sociology: The Australian: Charles Murray to address Australia's Centre for Independent Studies ideas forum, "In Praise of Elitism"
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2007.08.06: August 6, 2007: COS - Thailand: Sociology: The Australian: Charles Murray to address Australia's Centre for Independent Studies ideas forum, "In Praise of Elitism"
Charles Murray to address Australia's Centre for Independent Studies ideas forum, "In Praise of Elitism"
"Whether we like it or not, the future of our culture lies in the hands of the people at the top of the IQ bracket," he says. "These young people are not being pushed at all and that's what worries me the most. "There's no one saying to them, 'You're lucky to be as smart as you are; you need to be worthy of that blessing'." Dr Murray says such kids need to be trained in logic, reasoning and ethics if our society is to reach its potential. "They are bright but they have no idea what it is to be rigorous. "For instance, way too many people are going to university. Statistically, only 15 to 20 per cent are able to deal with a college education, unless, of course, it's not a genuine college education and it's dumbed down. And that's what we have right now, certainly in the US." Dr Murray believes the education system, as it stands, is a disaster. "We all know that but it's especially a disaster for above-average students. "What amazes me is this de-emphasis we have in schools now on learning. This should be the reason kids are there but instead they are asked only to express themselves. Charles Murray served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand in the 1960's.
Charles Murray to address Australia's Centre for Independent Studies ideas forum, "In Praise of Elitism"
Nurture elitism, says US thinker
Robert Lusetich, Los Angeles correspondent | August 06, 2007
CONTROVERSIAL American political scientist Charles Murray is urging Australians to ditch egalitarianism as a central tenet of the national culture and to recognise that the country's future is in the hands of the best and brightest.
Dr Murray will tell a forum in Sydney next week that the smartest young Australians are being short-changed by an education system that puts a child's emotional wellbeing ahead of learning.
"We're taking these bright kids and coddling the little darlings," Dr Murray told The Australian. "We placate them because we're a society which says nobody can be stupid, even if they are."
Dr Murray is best known for his book The Bell Curve, co-authored with Richard Herrnstein, which caused a storm by linking race and IQ.
"Australians talk about this tall-poppy syndrome without understanding where it comes from," he said. "It is based on the idea that we're all equal. Well, I've got news for you -- we're not all equal and the sooner we accept that, the better. There's nothing wrong with being elitist and we need to come to terms with that and embrace it."
Dr Murray will address a Centre for Independent Studies ideas forum, In Praise of Elitism, next Monday.
The 64-year-old has made his name with explosive, politically incorrect arguments that women lack the evolutionary genetic intelligence to master the highest levels of mathematics and the hard sciences, that Jews are born smart and that welfare needs to be abolished because it encourages women with low intelligence to sprout children who are in turn not likely to be very bright.
He has been the subject of death threats and professional vilification but remains unrepentant. "I've been the Antichrist," he says, "but that doesn't mean I've been wrong."
Dr Murray's critics say the core of his argument is the flawed notion that intelligence is hereditary; that we are born with intelligence just as we inherit hair or skin colour.
In the nature vs nurture debate, there are a number of social scientists who have shown that intelligence can be improved -- by as much as 20 IQ points, according to one French study -- by providing a more conducive environment for children. Dr Murray, however, concedes only that improvements will be at the margins. "Scientifically, I'm on solid ground," he says.
Dr Murray -- whose theories have helped shape the policies of Republican administrations dating back to Ronald Reagan's -- has some advice for Australia.
Embrace elitism and place in a very direct way the future of the nation in the hands of the best and the brightest, as identified by intelligence.
"Whether we like it or not, the future of our culture lies in the hands of the people at the top of the IQ bracket," he says. "These young people are not being pushed at all and that's what worries me the most.
"There's no one saying to them, 'You're lucky to be as smart as you are; you need to be worthy of that blessing'."
Dr Murray says such kids need to be trained in logic, reasoning and ethics if our society is to reach its potential.
"They are bright but they have no idea what it is to be rigorous.
"For instance, way too many people are going to university. Statistically, only 15 to 20 per cent are able to deal with a college education, unless, of course, it's not a genuine college education and it's dumbed down. And that's what we have right now, certainly in the US."
Dr Murray believes the education system, as it stands, is a disaster. "We all know that but it's especially a disaster for above-average students.
"What amazes me is this de-emphasis we have in schools now on learning. This should be the reason kids are there but instead they are asked only to express themselves.
"They are not expected to interpret correctly but rather they are asked what they feel about the material.
"This is so harmful for their intellectual development.
"You never have the right answer because all answers are right. Everyone gets an award at school, no matter how undeserved. But I'll tell you something, kids know; they understand what's going on.
"This constant praise produces measurably lower self-esteem because kids know they haven't deserved the praise."
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Headlines: August, 2007; Sociology
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Story Source: The Australian
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