When it was found that the average weight of a man's brain is greater than that of a woman's, this was held as proof of his superior intellectuality. When it was pointed out that an elephant's brain is even heavier, the eminent scientists scratched their heads since they could not admit that their wits were elephantine. Somebody suggested that the important thing is the proportion of the weight of the brain to the weight of the body. But this had a disastrous result : it seemed to show that women were, on the whole, cleverer than men. This would never do. So they said that it was not mere brute weight that mattered but delicacy of organisation.
Source: Bertrand Russell: Are men of science scientific? In: Mortals and Others, v.1, 1975.
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* a brief comment:
Focusing on one’s own emotions (or the emotions of the group or nation one belongs to) and then seeking justifications that align with those emotions is a common approach in many matters. If more people could develop the habit of setting aside their own emotions (or the emotions of their group or nation) and thinking calmly and logically first, conflicts would be significantly reduced. Such attitudes and reasoning skills are best cultivated through education, but most countries prioritize patriotism in their schooling, fostering a sense of nationalistic self-centeredness that prevails worldwide.
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