Stephen Jay Gould's The Mismeasure of Man receives acclaim for its thorough critique of biological determinism. Its clear writing and powerful argumentation are praised, though some critics find flaws in Gould's interpretation of historical data and his polemical stance. This work remains influential, stirring both approval and academic debate.

Readers who enjoy The Mismeasure Of Man by Stephen Jay Gould are typically interested in science, history, and social issues. They appreciate critiques of scientific methodologies. Fans of Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari or Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, which also explore historical and scientific analyses, may find this book compelling.

The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould is a critique of 19th- and 20th-century theories claiming that human intelligence is a fixed, measurable quantity. Gould argues that biases influenced the scientific methods and conclusions of the time, leading to flawed approaches such as craniometry and IQ testing. He critiques these methods, highlighting their lack of evidence for race-based intellectual differences, and he discusses their detrimental social impacts. Sensitive topics include historical instances of racism and their influence on scientific theories.

Informative / Challenging / Contemplative / Emotional / Unnerving

Stephen Jay Gould

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Mismeasure Of Man reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Mismeasure Of Man | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Mismeasure Of Man and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Mismeasure Of Man Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 1

The Mismeasure Of Man Introduction-Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 2 The Mismeasure Of Man Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 The Mismeasure Of Man Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 4 The Mismeasure Of Man Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 The Mismeasure Of Man Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 6 The Mismeasure Of Man Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 7-Epilogue

The Mismeasure Of Man Chapter 7-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

Critique of The Bell Curve and Three Centuries’ Perspectives on Race and Racism

The Mismeasure Of Man Critique of The Bell Curve and Three Centuries’ Perspectives on Race and Racism Summary & Analysis

The Mismeasure Of Man

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Mismeasure Of Man?

Reading Age

Book Details