Nature versus Nurture

[Retired Engineer Bob]

I’m sure there are many good studies of this, with peer review. Like any good Netzien, I’ll just ignore all that and spew my opinions. Although I am interested in learning more.

I really want to believe that all folks are created equal. It’s at the core of my beliefs. I’ve always been a supporter of the Democratic Party, my first Presidential vote was for Dukakis. His ad with him in the tank was pretty lame I will concede. Whatever, he sure as hell was preferable to Bush I.

Does God/Flying Spaghetti Monster/fate dole out aptitude for intellectual aptitude and physical prowess at birth, or does everyone have an equal ability at birth and it is simply a matter of upbringing?

I scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT, but despite years (admittedly on and off), am always thrilled if I can top 99 after ten rounds of bowling. I have always thrown a ball “like a girl”. I did graduate with a BSEE and took advantage of that in my career.

[KPN]

1. Yes.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

2. Well, OK, I'm willing to keep digging my hole

I’ll admit getting through university took some study but it was not Mission Impossible. Did I possess a preordained ability to do mathematics and science? Is someone not predisposed at birth precluded from pursuing such a career?

The whole concept seems kind of Republican and distasteful.

[KPN]

3. Hey -- funny. I started an edit to my frivolous response shortly after I posted it but got

interrupted and never made my way back to DU yesterday. What I started to say in the edit was basically that the age old question of nature vs nurture is one that I have often mused over myself, including as it relates to the society we must each individually navigate. My guess is introspective types tend to think about this stuff more, but that's an aside. At any rate, I agree with what I think your basic view is -- that nature doesn't treat us equally nor does nurturing, and that we as a society assign too much credit to individuals for their success and not enough to socio-economic infrastructure and social responsibility generally.

You are right about Republicans. They myopically believe that America is "the land of opportunity" and the role of rugged individualism without regard to natural/"nutural" inequalities and personal inclinational differences. Not everyone wants and strives to be wealthy as their life goal.

So thanks for the reminder and ... that's my two bits on the subject.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

4. No problem

After posting I was a bit afraid the post came off as snarky, was not intended that way. Always appreciate the feedback.

Take care