Some recent philosophers seem to have given their moral approval to these deplorable verdicts that affirm that the intelligence of an individual is a fixed quantity, a quantity that cannot be augmented. We must protest and react against this brutal pessimism; we will try to demonstrate that it is founded on nothing.
Interpretation
This quote challenges the notion that intelligence is unchangeable and criticizes those who accept this view.
Alfred Binet expresses concern over a philosophical perspective that regards individual intelligence as a static trait, implying that some recent thinkers unjustly moralize this idea. He argues for a reaction against this 'brutal pessimism' and seeks to show that this belief lacks a solid foundation, encouraging a view of intelligence as something that can be developed and improved.
In practice
In a discussion about educational reform, this quote can highlight the importance of fostering growth in intelligence.
A few modern philosopher's assert that an individual's intelligence is a fixed quantity, a quantity which cannot be increased. We must protest and react against this brutal pessimism.... With practice, training, and above all, method, we manage to increase our attention, our memory, our judgment and literally to become more intelligent than we were before.
We continue to shape our personality all our life. If we knew ourselves perfectly, we should die.
You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.
Trade is the best cure for prejudice.
We are all members of the same flawed species. Putting our moral vision into practice means imposing our will on others. The human lust for power and esteem, coupled with its vulnerability to self-deception and self-righteousness, makes that an invitation to a calamity, all the worse when the power is directed at a goal as quixotic as eradicating human self-interest.
Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.
It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play, the minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
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