--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Schools don’t teach people to reason…" description: "\"“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 reas..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ca/jonathan-haidt-1823_intelligence_schools-don-t-teach-people-to-reason-tho_3013005.jpg" --- # Schools don’t teach people to reason thoroughly; they… ![“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…” quote by Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ca/jonathan-haidt-1823_intelligence_schools-don-t-teach-people-to-reason-tho_3013005.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ca/jonathan-haidt-1823_intelligence_schools-don-t-teach-people-to-reason-tho_3013005.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ca/jonathan-haidt-1823_intelligence_schools-don-t-teach-people-to-reason-tho_3013005.jpg) > ““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”” [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Smart people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart-people/) ## Related quotes > [Think of it a strong woman is usually a smart women, arguments with smart women makes more sense, plus after a steamy argument you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/think-of-it-a-strong-woman-is-usually-a-smart-women-arguments-with/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [“Studies show that the IQ range of most creative people is surprisingly narrow, around 120 to 130. 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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. 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