Is proficiency in mathematics

genetic and innate or can it be gained through practice (recall here that old saw in re: repetition)

Is meat sauce in spaghetti tasty and innate or can it be gained through canned sauce (no, it can't)

Geneticists recently isolated proficiency in math and logic to the 'Y' chromosome.  So genetic.

LOUuL95l

If you have to ask this question then it's probably a combination of the two.

From personal experience I'd say genes definitely have a part to play.

Extrapolating from myself, math is a piece of cake. Mmm, cake.

A persons skill level in any given field is determined by 1) Talent(genetics) and 2) Practice.  Math is no different.

Eugenics is a social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary traits through various forms of intervention. The goals of various groups advocating eugenics have included the creation of healthier, more intelligent people, to save society's resources, and lessen human suffering, as well as desires to breed for optimal qualities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics

>>9
Eugenics is a social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary traits through various forms of bullshit.

>>8

This is true, but the two components play slightly different roles.

Talent is your aptitude in a subject (whether that be math, or guitar, or tennis).  It determines exactly how much practice is required to improve.  It also sets your "cap" proficiency.

Practice is needed by everyone, no matter how much talent you have.  But as I said, talent determines the amount of practice needed.  For some, showing up to class and being awake is more than enough practice.  For others, several hours of extra studying is needed.

In general, a lack of talent can be made up for with more practice.  However, you'll never be as good as someone who is gifted and has a strong work ethic.

Genes have nothing to do with it. A dullard in a good environment can still easily finish college, write a few papers and get tenure (in fact, many do), while someone with great genes growing up in an unstimulating ghetto won't even know where to begin.

>>12
Environment cannot be the only factor as some groups in worse environments do better than some groups in better environments.

>>12

That means genes aren't everything, not genes have nothing to do with it. Idiot.

>>13
this wouldn't necessarily indicate a genetic difference, it could be explained by differences in values and encouragement between the groups.

>>13

Twin studies and adoptee studies have shown that genetics play a larger role (in most areas) than environment.

>>15
More illegal immigrant parents are illiterate than African American parents, yet they do better across the board, school grades, IQ tests, everything.

>>15
This means that even in a worse environment and with worse values some ethnic groups do better than others. Disparity cannot be completely explained through environmental causes.

you dumb motherfucker

>>19

MY EGOTISM

OUCH

Given that mathematics represents a finely tuned series of physical events, I would say the correlation between ability to identify physical and conceptual patterns and the naturally mathematical structure of the human brain is mostly genetic. That is, early hominids were endowed with a simple type of formal differentiation ability. They HAD to learn from the classic "fire = hot = true, fire = touch = false". This series of systematic distinction was gradually improved through various cultures - the most obvious of which are the Asians.

As for >>12 , I'd like to know the depth in which you researched this assumption. There are many more factors to the classification of intelligence than just completing coursework. Time, pattern recognition, memory, mental foresight, and many other variables play a HUMONGOUS role.

"mathematics represents a finely tuned series of physical events"...?

>>22
I meant this in a universal relationship between energy and its states. It was supposed to be the fundamental reason to why humans (a result of this order) would be able to genetically inherit the ability to distinguish and manipulate it.

>>19
doesn't look like its in your genes

>>21
Your retarded interpretation of reductionism makes me cry.

>>25 I'm sure you even understood it.

>>10
Enjoy your sleepless nights caterring for your diabetic kid as he screams in agony due to your decision not to implement the oh so evil eugenics.

because killing retards makes diabetic kids feel pretty good

diabeetus is for faggots

The word pirahna, is all I can think of that rhymes with marijuana

Marijuana MUST be legalized.