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S. J. Gould's Mismeasure of Man is a paleontologist's distorted view of what psychologists think, untutored in even the most elementary facts of the science. Gould is one of a number of politically motivated scientists who have consistently misled the public about what psychologists are doing in the field of intelligence, what they have discovered and what conclusions they have come to. Gould simply refuses to mention unquestionable facts that do not fit into his politically correct version; he shamelessly attacks the reputations of eminent scientists of whom he disapproves, on completely nonfactual grounds, and he misrepresents the views of scientists.

Stephen Jay Gould#187

ScienceDebatePoliticsCriticismPsychology

About this quote

What does it mean?
Critique of a book for allegedly misrepresenting psychology and ignoring facts.
In plain terms
This book is accused of lying about science and attacking scientists.
What can you take from it?
Question works that claim to correct science while ignoring facts.

Where it applies

  • academic debates
  • book reviews
  • scientific literacy

Putting it to work

  • check claims
  • review sources
  • assess bias

Questions to consider

  • How do we judge scientific claims?
  • Is bias always harmful?

Another view

Political bias does not always negate scientific contribution.

More from Stephen Jay Gould

  1. How can one trust a person so prejudiced as to neglect overwhelming evidence?

    Permalink to quote #186
  2. Gould's argument on reification purports to get at the philosophical foundation of the field. He claims that general intelligence, defined as the factor common…

    Permalink to quote #188
  3. a masterpiece of deception

    Permalink to quote #185

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