Ashkenazi Jewish intelligence: Difference between revisions
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Many who argue for Jewish intelligence have pointed out that more than 20% of [[Nobel Laureates]] across all disciplines and nationalities are Jewish.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |date=2019-12-30 |title=The controversy over Bret Stephens’s Jewish genius column, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/12/30/21042733/bret-stephens-jewish-iq-new-york-times |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Efron |first=Noah |date=21 October 2013 |title=The Real Reason Why Jews Win So Many Nobel Prizes |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-10-21/ty-article/.premium/the-real-reason-jews-win-so-many-nobels/0000017f-f5f9-d460-afff-ffffa0c20000 |work=Haaretz}}</ref> |
Many who argue for Jewish intelligence have pointed out that more than 20% of [[Nobel Laureates]] across all disciplines and nationalities are Jewish.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |date=2019-12-30 |title=The controversy over Bret Stephens’s Jewish genius column, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/12/30/21042733/bret-stephens-jewish-iq-new-york-times |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Efron |first=Noah |date=21 October 2013 |title=The Real Reason Why Jews Win So Many Nobel Prizes |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-10-21/ty-article/.premium/the-real-reason-jews-win-so-many-nobels/0000017f-f5f9-d460-afff-ffffa0c20000 |work=Haaretz}}</ref> |
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== Increased IQ == |
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== ''Natural History of Ashkenazi Intelligence'' == |
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{{See also|IQ and race|Race and intelligence}} |
{{See also|IQ and race|Race and intelligence}} |
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A 2005 paper by three authors who have been linked to theories described as "scientific racism,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henry Harpending |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/henry-harpending |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925215946/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/henry-harpending |archive-date=2018-09-25 |language=en}}</ref> "Natural History of Ashkenazi Intelligence"<ref name=COCHRAN>{{Cite journal |last1=Cochran |first1=Gregory |last2=Hardy |first2=Jason |last3=Harpending |first3=Henry |date=September 2006 |title=Natural History of Ashkenazi intelligence|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-biosocial-science/article/natural-history-of-ashkenazi-intelligence/170E96F5581A9F39524DAC717886D945 |journal=Journal of Biosocial Science |language=en |volume=38 |issue=5 |pages=659–693 |doi=10.1017/S0021932005027069 |pmid=16867211 |issn=1469-7599|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821151135/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-biosocial-science/article/natural-history-of-ashkenazi-intelligence/170E96F5581A9F39524DAC717886D945 |archive-date=2018-08-21 }}</ref> proposed that Ashkenazi Jews as a group inherit higher [[Verbal intelligence|verbal]] and [[Theory of multiple intelligences#Logical–mathematical|mathematical intelligence]] the basis of inherited diseases and the peculiar economic situation of Ashkenazi [[Jews in the Middle Ages]]. This paper suggested that the average [[IQ score]] of Ashkenazi Jews fall in a range of 108–115 under some studies, which would be significantly higher than that of any other ethnic group in the world.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lynn |first1=Richard |last2=Longley |first2=David |date=2006-11-01 |title=On the high intelligence and cognitive achievements of Jews in Britain |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016028960600033X |journal=Intelligence |language=en |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=541–547 |doi=10.1016/j.intell.2006.03.011 |issn=0160-2896 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910231404/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016028960600033X |archive-date=2018-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Study: Ashkenazi Jews Smartest on Earth, Partly Due to Diseases |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131053 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008025848/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131053 |archive-date=2018-10-08 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Israel National News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is the IQ of Ashkenazi Jews so high? |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106220130mp_/https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/more/pellissier20110719 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> |
A 2004 paper by self-professed ''"[[Scientific racism|scientific racist]]"'' [[Richard Lynn]] found that [[American Jews]] obtained significantly higher IQ scores than the average white [[gentile]], and even higher scores compared to black peoples.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lynn |first=Richard |date=2004-01-01 |title=The intelligence of American Jews |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886903000795 |journal=Personality and Individual Differences |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=201–206 |doi=10.1016/S0191-8869(03)00079-5 |issn=0191-8869}}</ref> A 2005 paper by three authors who have been linked to theories described as "scientific racism,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henry Harpending |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/henry-harpending |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925215946/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/henry-harpending |archive-date=2018-09-25 |language=en}}</ref> "Natural History of Ashkenazi Intelligence"<ref name=COCHRAN>{{Cite journal |last1=Cochran |first1=Gregory |last2=Hardy |first2=Jason |last3=Harpending |first3=Henry |date=September 2006 |title=Natural History of Ashkenazi intelligence|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-biosocial-science/article/natural-history-of-ashkenazi-intelligence/170E96F5581A9F39524DAC717886D945 |journal=Journal of Biosocial Science |language=en |volume=38 |issue=5 |pages=659–693 |doi=10.1017/S0021932005027069 |pmid=16867211 |issn=1469-7599|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821151135/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-biosocial-science/article/natural-history-of-ashkenazi-intelligence/170E96F5581A9F39524DAC717886D945 |archive-date=2018-08-21 }}</ref> proposed that Ashkenazi Jews as a group inherit higher [[Verbal intelligence|verbal]] and [[Theory of multiple intelligences#Logical–mathematical|mathematical intelligence]] the basis of inherited diseases and the peculiar economic situation of Ashkenazi [[Jews in the Middle Ages]]. This paper suggested that the average [[IQ score]] of Ashkenazi Jews fall in a range of 108–115 under some studies, which would be significantly higher than that of any other ethnic group in the world.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lynn |first1=Richard |last2=Longley |first2=David |date=2006-11-01 |title=On the high intelligence and cognitive achievements of Jews in Britain |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016028960600033X |journal=Intelligence |language=en |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=541–547 |doi=10.1016/j.intell.2006.03.011 |issn=0160-2896 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910231404/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016028960600033X |archive-date=2018-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Study: Ashkenazi Jews Smartest on Earth, Partly Due to Diseases |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131053 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008025848/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131053 |archive-date=2018-10-08 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Israel National News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is the IQ of Ashkenazi Jews so high? |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106220130mp_/https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/more/pellissier20110719 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> |
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One report has suggested that many such studies had been conducted by disingenuous scientists in pursuit of a foregone conclusion. Instead, the report cites a professor suggesting that the increased IQ probably is true, though the exact size of the increase varies significantly between studies.<ref name=":0" /> |
One report has suggested that many such studies had been conducted by disingenuous scientists in pursuit of a foregone conclusion. Instead, the report cites a professor suggesting that the increased IQ probably is true, though the exact size of the increase varies significantly between studies.<ref name=":0" /> |
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[[Bret Stephens]] cited the study in an NYTimes op-ed, suggesting that Jewish genius is innate to culture instead of biology, which led to an editor's note apologizing for even using the study.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephens |first=Bret |date=2019-12-28 |title=Opinion {{!}} The Secrets of Jewish Genius |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/opinion/jewish-culture-genius-iq.html |access-date=2024-07-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> |
[[Bret Stephens]] cited the study in an NYTimes op-ed, suggesting that Jewish genius is innate to culture instead of biology, which led to an editor's note apologizing for even using the study.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Stephens |first=Bret |date=2019-12-28 |title=Opinion {{!}} The Secrets of Jewish Genius |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/opinion/jewish-culture-genius-iq.html |access-date=2024-07-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> |
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== |
== Sociological explanations == |
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Bret Stephens has opined in the NYTimes that the intellectual rigor of religious studies, especially in the context of constant upheaval, has allowed intellectual flexibility.<ref name=":1" /> [[Malcolm Gladwell]] similarly argues in [[Outliers (book)|''Outliers'']] that the rigorous [[Talmud]] schools may foster intellectualism and perseverance in Jewish students.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gladwell |first=Malcolm |title=Outliers: the story of success |date=2008 |publisher=Little, Brown and Co |isbn=978-0-316-01792-3 |edition=1st ed |location=New York}}</ref> |
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== Criticism == |
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{{See also|Model minority myth}} |
{{See also|Model minority myth}} |
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Some have argued that the elevation of Jewish intelligence based on both biology or sociology may feed into model minority myths that harm both Jewish and black peoples.<ref name=":0" /> |
Some have argued that the elevation of Jewish intelligence based on both biology or sociology may feed into model minority myths that harm both Jewish and black peoples.<ref name=":0" /> [[Sander Gilman]] has argued that racializing intelligence is particularly problematic as it may feed into multiple antisemitic tropes and other categorization of a vast group of people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gilman |first=Sander L. |date=2008 |title=Are Jews Smarter Than Everyone Else? |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3190562/ |journal=Mens Sana Monographs |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=41–47 |doi=10.4103/0973-1229.34526 |issn=0973-1229 |pmc=3190562 |pmid=22013349}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 01:05, 14 July 2024
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
Ashkenazi Jewish intelligence, often referred to as "Jewish genius",[1][2] is the theory that Ashkenazi Jews tend to have a higher intelligence than other ethnic groups.
Background
Many who argue for Jewish intelligence have pointed out that more than 20% of Nobel Laureates across all disciplines and nationalities are Jewish.[3][4]
Increased IQ
A 2004 paper by self-professed "scientific racist" Richard Lynn found that American Jews obtained significantly higher IQ scores than the average white gentile, and even higher scores compared to black peoples.[5] A 2005 paper by three authors who have been linked to theories described as "scientific racism,"[6] "Natural History of Ashkenazi Intelligence"[7] proposed that Ashkenazi Jews as a group inherit higher verbal and mathematical intelligence the basis of inherited diseases and the peculiar economic situation of Ashkenazi Jews in the Middle Ages. This paper suggested that the average IQ score of Ashkenazi Jews fall in a range of 108–115 under some studies, which would be significantly higher than that of any other ethnic group in the world.[8][9][10]
One report has suggested that many such studies had been conducted by disingenuous scientists in pursuit of a foregone conclusion. Instead, the report cites a professor suggesting that the increased IQ probably is true, though the exact size of the increase varies significantly between studies.[3]
Bret Stephens cited the study in an NYTimes op-ed, suggesting that Jewish genius is innate to culture instead of biology, which led to an editor's note apologizing for even using the study.[11][3]
Sociological explanations
Bret Stephens has opined in the NYTimes that the intellectual rigor of religious studies, especially in the context of constant upheaval, has allowed intellectual flexibility.[11] Malcolm Gladwell similarly argues in Outliers that the rigorous Talmud schools may foster intellectualism and perseverance in Jewish students.[12]
Criticism
Some have argued that the elevation of Jewish intelligence based on both biology or sociology may feed into model minority myths that harm both Jewish and black peoples.[3] Sander Gilman has argued that racializing intelligence is particularly problematic as it may feed into multiple antisemitic tropes and other categorization of a vast group of people.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Murray, Charles (2007-04-01). "Jewish Genius". Commentary. Archived from the original on 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Valk, Jonathan (2015-06-14). "Is there really such a thing as Jewish genius?". haaretz.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ a b c d Yglesias, Matthew (2019-12-30). "The controversy over Bret Stephens's Jewish genius column, explained". Vox. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Efron, Noah (21 October 2013). "The Real Reason Why Jews Win So Many Nobel Prizes". Haaretz.
- ^ Lynn, Richard (2004-01-01). "The intelligence of American Jews". Personality and Individual Differences. 36 (1): 201–206. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(03)00079-5. ISSN 0191-8869.
- ^ "Henry Harpending". Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived from the original on 2018-09-25. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Cochran, Gregory; Hardy, Jason; Harpending, Henry (September 2006). "Natural History of Ashkenazi intelligence". Journal of Biosocial Science. 38 (5): 659–693. doi:10.1017/S0021932005027069. ISSN 1469-7599. PMID 16867211. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21.
- ^ Lynn, Richard; Longley, David (2006-11-01). "On the high intelligence and cognitive achievements of Jews in Britain". Intelligence. 34 (6): 541–547. doi:10.1016/j.intell.2006.03.011. ISSN 0160-2896. Archived from the original on 2018-09-10.
- ^ "Study: Ashkenazi Jews Smartest on Earth, Partly Due to Diseases". Israel National News. Archived from the original on 2018-10-08. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Why is the IQ of Ashkenazi Jews so high?". web.archive.org. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ a b Stephens, Bret (2019-12-28). "Opinion | The Secrets of Jewish Genius". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Gladwell, Malcolm (2008). Outliers: the story of success (1st ed ed.). New York: Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 978-0-316-01792-3.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ Gilman, Sander L. (2008). "Are Jews Smarter Than Everyone Else?". Mens Sana Monographs. 6 (1): 41–47. doi:10.4103/0973-1229.34526. ISSN 0973-1229. PMC 3190562. PMID 22013349.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)