The Bell Curve Wars

The Bell Curve Wars refer to the heated debate stemming from the 1994 book "The Bell Curve" by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray. The authors argued that intelligence, largely measured by IQ, significantly influences social outcomes and varies among different ethnic groups. Critics contested their conclusions, arguing that intelligence is shaped by socio-economic, educational, and environmental factors, not just genetics. The discussions raised ethical concerns about race, class, and public policy, igniting controversy in academia, media, and society about the implications of intelligence research and its potential misuse in justifying inequality.