Do you think everyone is born with the same potential?

[49erinnc]

I was watching some medical show on DCH or some similar station where a surgeon was removing massive amounts of facial tumors from this guy. Being amazed with the surgeon's skill, I wondered about this topic.

Let's assume that we're all born with exactly the same resources. We're all born with the ability to receive equal education, have equal financial situations, equal connections and all physically/mentally/emotionally healthy. I'm sure there are other factors that could prohibit potential but for the sake of this debate, let's assume we're all born on the same playing field other than our chromosomes and money is not a restriction.

Do you think that under those circumstances, that anyone could potentially become a brain surgeon or another profession associated with superior intellect and skill? Or do genetics play so much of a role that some people, no matter how much they apply, educate and train themselves, would never be able to succeed in a field like that?

 

[pontifex]

no

 

[Lola]

I think genetics have a part in things.

 

[DougK62]

no

 

[vi edit]

Nope. Some people simply have more desire, drive, and determination along with a better decision making ability that allows them to be more successful.

Many people don't have that. They settle and never seem to make the right decisions.

Just look to your own family/peers families. Many children grow up with the same parents and go to the same schools, but take very different paths than their siblings. My wife and I are examples of that. We have a lot more "drive" than our siblings do and don't settle and become complacent in our situations.

 

[leftyman]

I think that if one was raised from birth with no other objective in life, and cost was no object then I think anyone could be "trained" to perform any task.

edit: after actually reading your question my answer is no.

but I do think my statement is still correct.

 

[KarmaPolice]

No....some people are just smarter, or have a special skill...its just how life is.

 

[d3n]

I think that genetics allow people to be predisposed to certain personalities and to put forward different traits. Some more conducive to success in some environments than others.

 

[FoBoT]

no, some people are born dumb


but most people can exceed their "natural" level of ability with a good environment and hard work

and many people can sink below their "natural" level of ability with a crap environment and learning to be slothful

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Nope. Some people simply have more desire, drive, and determination along with a better decision making ability that allows them to be more successful.

But are you suggesting that desire, drive and determination stem from genetics? Or are these traits that people develop over time? I agree that family members differ in those particular traits. But my question is whether or not we're all born capable of the same desire, drive and determination?

 

[DaShen]

No, some people are just born naturally gifted at some things more than other people. Genetic diversity and evolution, for the win. Raw talent only gets you so far though.

I would much rather have someone who had a very strong work ethic and decent skills, rather than someone who was naturally talented but a lazy bum.

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: leftyman
I think that if one was raised from birth with no other objective in life, and cost was no object then I think anyone could be "trained" to perform any task.

That's more in line with what I was wondering about. I just question whether someone could be a brain surgeon, regardless of the training/education. I can't help but think some people are born with the ability to be superior at certain things, regardless of their resources.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
no, some people are born dumb


but most people can exceed their "natural" level of ability with a good environment and hard work

and many people can sink below their "natural" level of ability with a crap environment and learning to be slothful

Bingo. My sister was top of her class in almost everything, but according to her as well as many of my relatives, I am much smarter than she is. She just had a natural work ethic. I, on the other hand, was comfortable with settling for doing things half-assed. I am paying the penalty now that I actually want to do something.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: 49erinnc

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Nope. Some people simply have more desire, drive, and determination along with a better decision making ability that allows them to be more successful.

But are you suggesting that desire, drive and determination stem from genetics? Or are these traits that people develop over time? I agree that family members differ in those particular traits. But my question is whether or not we're all born capable of the same desire, drive and determination?

I believe that some people simply are wired different. They have an inherent competiveness that isn't learned/taught/adapted and that drives them to work harder/smarter/longer than others. My wife and I are examples of this. Compare us to our siblings and there are stark differences in our overall success/mentalities. We were both offered the same opportunities as our siblings - same parents/households/schools/ect. Very different results.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

definitely not

some short, some tall
some smart, some stupid

its sad but thats life

 

[BigJ]

Training only gets you to a point. That's when natural abilities and genetics take over.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
no, some people are born dumb


but most people can exceed their "natural" level of ability with a good environment and hard work

and many people can sink below their "natural" level of ability with a crap environment and learning to be slothful

Agreed.

Some people aren't necessarily the brightest, but they still have hope even if it takes more work than the person next to them.

 

[sandorski]

Individually, No.

In a large Group, Most likely Yes.

 

[aldamon]

No. Look at who conceived these children:

http://www.sciserv.org/sts/66sts/winners.asp

I don't see too many sons/daughters of janitors, but I could be wrong.

 

[mugs]

No. Intelligence is genetic.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: aldamon
No. Look at who conceived these children:

http://www.sciserv.org/sts/66sts/winners.asp

I don't see too many sons/daughters of janitors, but I could be wrong.

someone didn't read the OP

 

[Shawn]

of course not.

 

[Luthien]

Absolutely NO. People are as different on the inside as on the outside. We look similiar but we are not identical.

No matter how hard you train yourself you will never be able to calculate mathematics in your head like a math genius just for one simple very specific example. You could study for 20 years and the genius kid at the age of 10 will out calculate you every time.

 

[j00fek]

nope

 

[manowar821]

I was going to reply, but it seems what I was going to say has been said many times already.