This article discusses whether human intelligence is determined by genetics, influenced by environment and learning, or shaped by a combination of both. It concludes that both genes and environment play an important role in shaping intelligence, and that it is through their interaction that intelligence develops.

Introduction

With the mapping of the human genome and advances in biotechnology, the secrets of our genes seem to be somewhat unlocked. With the growing interest in biotechnology, there is a view that the quest for humanity has been completed by unlocking the secrets of our genes. However, some argue that our traits and characteristics are not determined by our genes, but rather by our environment. The “nature vs. nurture” debate has been going on for years. Opinions are divided on whether a person’s traits are determined by their genes or by their environment and upbringing.
Schools of thought that emphasize the influence of genes argue for genetic determinism. They believe that when a person is born, his or her nature is already determined by his or her genes. In biology, heredity is an important factor in determining and expressing the characteristics of an organism, and therefore, genes cannot be excluded when discussing the characteristics of an individual. On the other hand, nurture theorists who support behavioral psychology argue that human behavior and the personalities and traits that influence it are shaped by the environment. They believe that any human being can be shaped by his or her environment, and can become a different person depending on the environment and the individual’s efforts. Just as Pavlov’s dog was trained to salivate at the sound of a bell, humans who are raised in a particular environment develop personality traits and characteristics in response to that environment. This argument has spawned a number of books, training programs, and lectures on learning and parenting. The debate has been fiercely contested, and the jury is still out on which is more convincing. It’s a testament to our interest in human nature that the debate over nature versus nurture, genes versus environment continues to rage on.
Regardless of which side of the debate we end up on, there’s still room for debate. If nature is all that defines us, then moral and ethical education becomes irrelevant, and genocide becomes a logical rationale. Conversely, if only the environment has an impact, then individuals cannot be held accountable. Either way, there are dangers.
But are humans solely determined by either their genes or their environment? Can this binary thinking be applied? There are many traits that distinguish humans. Examples include appearance, personality, and intelligence. In this article, we’ll focus on one of these traits, intelligence, and examine whether it’s determined by genes, shaped by the environment, or a combination of the two.

The main idea

The battle between students and their parents to get into prestigious universities is fierce around the world, but it is especially intense in Korea. The key to success in the entrance examination is thought to be a “good head,” which is why foods that are good for the head are popularized, math is included in prenatal education, and so on. This is not just for the purpose of entrance exams, but the pursuit of a smart brain is an age-old desire. More recently, the phrase “brainy men are sexy” has been coined in the media, and smart men are perceived as sexually attractive. Whatever the reason, the pursuit and striving for human intelligence has a long history. But is this intelligence something we inherit from our parents, or is it shaped by the environment we grow up in?
Before we get into the discussion, it’s important to clarify what we mean by intelligence. What does it mean to be intelligent, to have a good brain? Basically, being intelligent means having quick comprehension, good memorization and recall, and excellent creativity.
Some people argue that genes are the key determinant of intelligence. First, because the structure of the brain is biologically expressed and determined as specified in the genetic map. Since all of this is organized by genes, differences in brain function are also genetic. For example, monkeys have a different brain structure and function than humans, so no matter how much training they receive, they can never catch up to the intelligence of an average human. Second, there are studies that show that even if identical twins are raised in different environments, their intelligence correlation coefficients are much higher than those of people who are not genetically related to each other. This is evidence of the strong influence of genes on intelligence. Third, IQ tests show that the average intelligence quotient varies by race and gender, and that there are families with particularly high intelligence quotients.
On the other hand, there is a school of thought that argues that intelligence is more influenced by the environment than genes. First, while the basic structure of the brain is determined by genes, synapses (information transfer circuits) develop and degenerate in response to environmental stimuli. These synaptic circuits are believed to have a greater impact on intelligence than the brain’s structure. Second, it is also noteworthy that lower organisms act by instinct, while higher primates rely on learning. For example, a spider can spin a web without learning from its parents, but an orangutan must learn to use tools from its parents. This suggests that the importance of environment and learning increases as intelligence increases. Humans also develop intelligence through learning, and as a result, evolve toward higher intelligence. Third, the importance of environment is supported by the fact that a person’s intelligence quotient changes throughout their life. For example, Einstein was not particularly intelligent as a child, but gradually developed into a genius through learning and using his brain. On the other hand, a prodigy who was once called a genius in Korea changed into a normal person with average intelligence as an adult. In this way, intelligence is a variable property that can change and vary depending on the environment. There’s also the case of a girl who spent decades isolated from the outside world and lost her ability to speak and think. This shows that genetically inherited intelligence can be developed or destroyed by the environment.
So far, we’ve seen arguments from both the genetic determinism and environmental dominance camps, and each has its own merits. However, the bottom line is that we can’t rule out one or the other. Genetics and environment don’t exist independently in the first place. It’s impossible to separate genes and environment in determining intelligence, and it’s foolish to think of them in a binary fashion. The point is, both genes and environment play a role in shaping intelligence, and it is through their interaction that intelligence is formed and developed.

Conclusion

In this discussion, we have seen that both genes and environment are important in determining intelligence. There is definitely a role for genetics in determining intelligence. This is because genes are the basic building blocks of our brain and determine its function. But it’s also clear that throughout human history, social and cultural environments have had a profound impact on the development of intelligence. Through learning and education, we shape our personality, developing our knowledge, thinking, and understanding. In other words, our intelligence is not simply determined by our genes, but is shaped by our environment and learning. Intelligence is the result of a complex interaction between genes and environment. This complex understanding will help us make better choices in education and parenting, so that in the future, we can help everyone realize their full potential through the provision of quality education and environments.