The Bell Curve: Going Public

RICHARD HERRNSTEIN I never knew, but Charles Murray is a friend and a delightfully good fellow. After reading carefully this brilliant book, I regret that I must say it is mischievous and naive, and may do a great deal of damage to causes that Charles, I, and most readers of this magazine hold dear.

The book tells us much that is important and troubling about the stratification of American society along lines of cognitive ability. It might have provoked a needed debate on merit and equality in American life, and it may still do so. I think it probable, however, that such questions will be eclipsed by yet another rancorous disputation over race, from which nobody will come out ahead.

RJ

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Richard John Neuhaus

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RICHARD HERRNSTEIN I never knew, but Charles Murray is a friend and a delightfully good fellow. After reading carefully this brilliant book, I regret that I must say it is mischievous and naive, and may do a great deal of damage to causes that Charles, I, and most readers of this magazine hold dear.

The book tells us much that is important and troubling about the stratification of American society along lines of cognitive ability. It might have provoked a needed debate on merit and equality in American life, and it may still do so. I think it probable, however, that such questions will be eclipsed by yet another rancorous disputation over race, from which nobody will come out ahead.