All people are equal but, as Human Diversity explores, all groups of people are not the same -- a fascinating investigation of the genetics and neuroscience of human differences.
The thesis of Human Diversity is that advances in genetics and neuroscience are overthrowing an intellectual orthodoxy that has ruled the social sciences for decades. The core of the orthodoxy consists of three dogmas:
- Gender is a social construct.
- Race is a social construct.
- Class is a function of privilege.
The problem is that all three dogmas are half-truths. They have stifled progress in understanding the rich texture that biology adds to our understanding of the social, political, and economic worlds we live in.
It is not a story to be feared. "There are no monsters in the closet," Murray writes, "no dread doors we must fear opening." But it is a story that needs telling. Human Diversity does so without sensationalism, drawing on the most authoritative scientific findings, celebrating both our many differences and our common humanity.
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"Charles Murray has been a prominent and controversial public commentator since the publication of the "Bell Curve." A recent volume "Breaking Apart" is an astute analysis of the divisions growing in white America. (Murray constrained his study to white America to be able to look at wealth & class without factoring in race.)
Human Diversity fits the trend. Murray takes issue with those studying race, gender and class who deny biological "essentialism." (That's the opinion that human behavior and social outcomes are influenced - although not controlled - by genetics.) The spirit of the times opposes this - preferring to believe that all people are theoretically the same and any difference in social outcome comes from oppression. Murray believes he has science on his side in terms of advanced genetic research and predicts that within a decade this kind of science will influence social policy. We'll see about that. This is a strong book, well written and read. "
—
EBergerud (5 out of 5 stars)