Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

165 | Kathryn Paige Harden on Genetics, Luck, and Fairness

Sep 20, 2021

Kathryn Paige Harden, a psychology professor at the University of Texas, dives into the complex interplay of genetics, luck, and social fairness. She argues against the historical misuse of genetic concepts, advocating for a balanced understanding of how DNA influences traits and opportunities. The conversation covers critical themes like meritocracy, education, and the systemic inequalities shaped by genetic factors. Harden emphasizes the need to embrace genetic knowledge as a tool for promoting social justice and equitable participation in society.

01:25:24

Episode guests

Kathryn Paige Harden

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

6min

Genetics and Social Justice

14min

Exploring Luck, Meritocracy, and Genetics

4min

Unraveling the Genetic Lottery

13min

Exploring Causation in Genetics and Social Sciences

4min

Understanding Polygenic Complexity

13min

The Intersection of Genetics and Social Inequality

6min

Genetics, Education, and Socioeconomic Factors

27min

Empowering Choices in Genetics and Ethics

3min

It's pretty clear that our genes affect, though they don't completely determine, who we grow up to be; children’s physical and mental characteristics are not completely unrelated to those of their parents. But this relationship has been widely abused throughout history to underwrite racist and sexist ideas. So there has been a counter-reaction in the direction of removing any consideration of genetic heritage from how we understand people. Kathryn Paige Harden argues in favor of a more nuanced view: DNA does matter, we can clearly measure some of its effects, and understanding those effects is a crucial tool in fighting discrimination and making the world a more equitable place.

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Kathryn Paige Harden received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Virginia. She is currently a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is the leader of the Developmental Behavior Genetics Lab and co-director of the Texas Twin Project. She was the recipient of the Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology from the American Psychological Association. Her new book is The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality.

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