The classically trained people of that era displayed a high level of intelligence in many fields, including science, literature, law, politics, etc. I will grant that the article does not give evidence of this apart from what the transcripts reflect in a particular area - I just know it from wide reading of materials from that era.
People who can express themselves well in complex fields such as law (as reflected in these transcripts) are usually pretty smart as well. It is a general indicator, though obviously not the only one.
I am certainly not claiming that earlier eras did not have their share of moronic politicians - I was once a history major and read about them all the time! They are all-pervasive in every era.
I just don't think people today are innately smarter simply because our knowledge base has expanded.
>I just don't think people today are innately smarter simply because our knowledge base has expanded.
I don't think that either - I think there are other reasons for it. The Flynn Effect certainly doesn't seem like it could be caused by an expanded knowledge base.
My intuition is that it has something to do with the increasing complexity of entertainment. The way kids played 30 years ago might have been better for creativity (and was surely healthier), but I imagine the way kids play these days makes for a stronger intellect.
People who can express themselves well in complex fields such as law (as reflected in these transcripts) are usually pretty smart as well. It is a general indicator, though obviously not the only one.
I am certainly not claiming that earlier eras did not have their share of moronic politicians - I was once a history major and read about them all the time! They are all-pervasive in every era.
I just don't think people today are innately smarter simply because our knowledge base has expanded.