Intelligence Quote by Jonathan Haidt
““Schools don’t teach people to reason thoroughly; they select the applicants with higher IQs, and people with higher IQs are able to generate more reasons. The findings get more disturbing. Perkins found that IQ was by far the biggest predictor of how well people argued, but it predicted only the number of my-side arguments. Smart people make really good lawyers and press secretaries, but they are no better than others at finding reasons on the other side. Perkins concluded that “people invest their IQ in buttressing their own case rather than in exploring the entire issue more fully and evenhandedly.”22””
About This Quote
Source Study: Research on Reasoning and IQ, 2015
IQ predicts the quantity of arguments for one’s own position but not the ability to consider opposing views, leading to biased reasoning.
In simple terms: Smart people argue better for themselves, not necessarily for others.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced perspectives, not just self‑reinforcement.
Themes
cognition
bias
argumentation
education
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- debate preparation
- policy analysis
- legal advocacy
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
IQ
motivated reasoning
confirmation bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we train people to value opposing arguments?
- What methods reduce self‑serving bias?
A Different Perspective
IQ alone does not guarantee fair reasoning; other skills matter.
