A provocative fresh study has unearthed a correlation between left-wing convictions and both elevated intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and genetic markers thought to be linked with heightened intelligence.
As elucidated by psychology researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in their novel paper, published in the journal Intelligence, a plethora of intelligence assessments revealed that being more astute “is associated with a spectrum of left-wing and liberal political beliefs.”
The authors of the paper remarked, “Our findings suggest that being genetically predisposed to higher intelligence is conducive to left-wing beliefs.”
As with all inquiries into human intelligence, the terrain is fraught with complexities. Diverse forms of intelligence exist, and demarcating the boundary between innate predispositions and environmental influences is challenging, given that education evidently contributes to elevated IQ test scores.
Nevertheless, the methodology of the paper is compelling. The scholars from UM extrapolated findings from a study encompassing over 200 families, some comprising solely biological offspring, others solely adopted progeny, and a smaller subset featuring both adopted and biological children.
“We discerned that both IQ and genetic indicators of intelligence, termed polygenic scores, can aid in predicting which of two siblings is more inclined towards liberalism,” elucidated study author Tobias Edwards in a riveting dialogue with PsyPost concerning the research. “These are siblings nurtured under identical conditions, reared beneath the same roof.
“This suggests that intelligence correlates with political beliefs not exclusively due to environment or upbringing, but rather because genetic variances in intelligence might influence our political disparities,” he appended. “Why this is so? I cannot ascertain.”
“By utilising both measured IQ and polygenic scores” — the latter being genetic profiles dictating myriad attributes, from physical appearance to susceptibility to ailments or manifestations of mental disorders — the research gauged “cognitive performance and educational achievements,” subsequently assessing whether a correlation existed between intelligence, genetics, and political allegiance.
On the political aspect, they scrutinised five variables: “political orientation, authoritarianism, egalitarianism, social liberalism, and fiscal conservatism.”
“Polygenic scores prognosticated social liberalism and diminished authoritarianism within families,” the paper expounded. “Intelligence was able to foresee social liberalism and diminished authoritarianism within families, even post-adjustment for socioeconomic factors.”
Nevertheless, Edwards cautioned that political convictions are intricate constructs contingent upon the zeitgeist, never entirely reducible to a singular factor.
“This revelation underscores a crucial point; there exists no dictum stipulating that intelligent individuals must invariably align with particular beliefs or ideologies,” he expounded to PsyPost. “The manner in which our intelligence shapes our convictions is likely contingent upon our milieu and cultural context. Glancing back through history, we discern intelligent individuals drawn to a panoply of divergent, often contradictory ideas.”
“Intellectuals have dallied with and succumbed to perilous ideologies and despotic regimes,” he appended. “Numerous astute individuals have embraced notions that are patently nonsensical. Hence, George Orwell questioned whether the sagacity of partisans could serve as any barometer of the merit of their convictions, asserting, ‘one has to belong to the intelligentsia to believe things like that: no ordinary man could be such a fool.'”
The politics of Albert Eistein
Albert Einstein, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to physics, also harboured strong political convictions that were shaped by his experiences, observations, and principles. While Einstein is primarily remembered for his scientific theories, his engagement with politics was equally profound and influential.
Einstein’s political beliefs were deeply ingrained in his humanism and pacifism. Born in Germany in 1879, he bore witness to the tumultuous political landscape of Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His Jewish heritage and encounters with anti-Semitism in Germany and later in Nazi-controlled Europe profoundly shaped his worldview. Einstein’s early exposure to socialist and pacifist ideas also significantly influenced his political ideology.
Central to Einstein’s political concerns was the pursuit of peace. He ardently believed in the necessity of international cooperation and the eradication of war. Einstein famously remarked, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” He advocated for disarmament and the establishment of supranational governing bodies to prevent conflicts among nations. His involvement in the anti-war movement intensified after World War I, when he witnessed the devastation wrought by the conflict.
Einstein’s pacifism was evident in his public statements and activism. He was a vocal critic of militarism and imperialism, condemning the arms race and the use of violence as a means of resolving conflicts. In 1931, he famously corresponded with Sigmund Freud, initiating a discussion on the subject of war and peace. Their exchange led to the publication of the “Why War?” manifesto, in which they called for an international conference to address the root causes of war.
In addition to his pacifism, Einstein vehemently opposed nationalism and authoritarianism. He decried the rise of fascism in Europe and spoke out against the Nazi regime’s persecution of Jews and suppression of intellectual freedom. In 1933, shortly after Adolf Hitler rose to power, Einstein renounced his German citizenship and fled to the United States, where he continued his academic work and political activism.
Throughout his life, Einstein remained committed to advancing social justice and human rights. He advocated for racial equality, speaking out against segregation and discrimination in the United States. He supported civil rights organisations and collaborated with prominent African American leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois.
Einstein’s political engagements extended beyond mere rhetoric. He actively participated in various political organisations and movements, including the Socialist Party of America and the Civil Rights Congress. He lent his support to progressive causes, such as nuclear disarmament, civil liberties, and workers’ rights.
In conclusion, Albert Einstein’s politics were characterised by his unwavering commitment to peace, human dignity, and social justice. His advocacy for international cooperation, disarmament, and the protection of human rights continues to reverberate today. Einstein’s legacy extends far beyond his scientific achievements, serving as a reminder of the importance of moral courage and civic engagement in the pursuit of a better world. Einstein also reminds us that the complexities of human thinking required to solve humanity’s problems can only come from the left and not from greed and self-interest, uniquely characterised by those on the right. The former seeks peace with its species and the planet. The latter only brings blind destruction.
And always remember this:
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