Intelligence and Human Progress

Written by James R. Flynn of the Flynn effect - the sustained and substantial increase in intelligence test scores across the world over many decades - this book examines genes and human achievement in all aspects, including what genes allow and forbid in terms of personal life history, the cognitive progress of humanity, the moral progress of humanity, and the cross-fertilization of the two.Genes and Human Progress presents a new method for weighing family versus genes in the cognitive abilities of individuals and shows the defects of the mind-set of those who dismiss IQ gains as true cognitive gains. It discusses several different topics: how family handicaps those taking the SAT; new IQ thresholds for occupations that show elite occupations are within reach of the average American; what Pol Pot did to the genetic potential of Cambodia; why dysgenics (the deterioration of human genes over the generations) is important, but no menace for the foreseeable future; and what might derail human progress.Reviews:James Flynn is one of the most important contemporary thinkers on the human mind and human affairs. This book . . . is an important contribution to our understanding of ourselves, our society, our recent history, and our future.--Steven Pinker, Department of Psychology, Harvard UniversityThe Flynn Effect and genetics are highly engaging topics of great public interest. His perspective will intrigue not only academics but also readers in general.--Jonathan Wai, Duke University