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Should people with high a IQ be allowed to vote at a younger age than 18?
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solark
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#1
This was randomly brought up in a casual conversation and has had me thinking - In theory, being exceptionally smart should put them in a position to critically judge the current political scene of the country and take logical decisions - in an era where young people appear to be indifferent towards voting and engaging themselves with political parties, would allowing people with a high IQ that are younger than the legal age of 18 to vote increase the representation of the youth in vital decisions (referendums, prime minister etc) What are your thoughts?
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HHJ11
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#2
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#2
Having a high IQ is not an valid indication of how socially and politically aware one is.
I could have a high IQ in mathematics, but have no idea behind voting or political parties.
Even if those with a high IQ were permitted to vote at the age of 16, their views would not be representative of all the 16 year-olds with an average or below-average IQ, in the UK. This means that there's no point in allowing one group of 16 year-olds vote; either let them all vote (not recommended) or keep the voting age at 18.
I could have a high IQ in mathematics, but have no idea behind voting or political parties.
Even if those with a high IQ were permitted to vote at the age of 16, their views would not be representative of all the 16 year-olds with an average or below-average IQ, in the UK. This means that there's no point in allowing one group of 16 year-olds vote; either let them all vote (not recommended) or keep the voting age at 18.
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damnit1
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#3
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#3
No lol that's stupid
IQ is very subjective and test scores varies.
Plus IQ has nothing to do with Political Views.
I think Voting represents Autonomy an individual has - if we give it to people with 'higher IQs' it suggests that people who have lower ones do not deserve choice
IQ is very subjective and test scores varies.
Plus IQ has nothing to do with Political Views.
I think Voting represents Autonomy an individual has - if we give it to people with 'higher IQs' it suggests that people who have lower ones do not deserve choice
Last edited by damnit1; 3 years ago
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Drewski
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#4
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#4
IQ is no guarantee of critical thinking and decision making.
You can get a high IQ score from a test purely based on your ability to deal with shapes. That doesn't correlate to intelligence.
So, no. That argument is based on a flawed understanding of what intelligence is.
You can get a high IQ score from a test purely based on your ability to deal with shapes. That doesn't correlate to intelligence.
So, no. That argument is based on a flawed understanding of what intelligence is.
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HoldThisL
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#5
I was going to say that an IQ is not a sufficient condition for sensible voting but clearly everyone else sees that too.
Last edited by HoldThisL; 3 years ago
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Obolinda
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#6
londonmyst
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#7
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#7
No, we can't have a situation where a person's ability to vote is tied to IQ.
Or have the uk's 'one law for all' in the country principle undermined by offering different laws and rights dependent upon IQ.
The precedent implications would be absolutely dire.
Attaining the legal age of adulthood and not being in prison works fine as regards eligibility to vote.
Or have the uk's 'one law for all' in the country principle undermined by offering different laws and rights dependent upon IQ.
The precedent implications would be absolutely dire.
Attaining the legal age of adulthood and not being in prison works fine as regards eligibility to vote.
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harrysbar
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#8
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#8
By that logic someone with a very low IQ wouldn't be allowed to vote until they're 70
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MidgetFever
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#9
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#9
If this was implemented there would be a LOT of human rights claims, it doesn't take a genius to realise that this is blatant discrimination based on intelligence.
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Notoriety
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the bear
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#11
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#11
until fairly recently students at the top two yoonies were entitled to vote twice; this is still the case in Ireland today.
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londonmyst
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#12
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#12
(Original post by Notoriety)
We should do away with voting and adopt the technocratic system of government.
We should do away with voting and adopt the technocratic system of government.
Let the dogs lead!
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Notoriety
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#13
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#13
(Original post by the bear)
until fairly recently students at the top two yoonies were entitled to vote twice; this is still the case in Ireland today.
until fairly recently students at the top two yoonies were entitled to vote twice; this is still the case in Ireland today.
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BlueIndigoViolet
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#14
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#14
a lot of older people dont have a clue either, 18 is a good age for everyone imo...
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CuriosityYay
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#15
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#15
Well, the controversy about the age of vote is an old one and the way I see it is that it is easier and far more efficient to just set an age limit when the average (vast majority) of the people that age is considered to be grown up or responsible or mature.
There are some exceptions of course like: a 15-year-old who is mature and does understand politics and a 25-year-old who is still regarded as a irresponsible (a.k.a a baby).
But these exceptions account for a very small percentage and most of the times will not significantly affect the voting (or at least this is the null hypothesis).
And within a couple of years we'll all grow up, pass that legal age, have the vote and will look down at all those younger boys and girls and say: 'Nope, those shouldn't get the vote, we waited so they should wait, as well'.
From my 16-year-old opinion
There are some exceptions of course like: a 15-year-old who is mature and does understand politics and a 25-year-old who is still regarded as a irresponsible (a.k.a a baby).
But these exceptions account for a very small percentage and most of the times will not significantly affect the voting (or at least this is the null hypothesis).
And within a couple of years we'll all grow up, pass that legal age, have the vote and will look down at all those younger boys and girls and say: 'Nope, those shouldn't get the vote, we waited so they should wait, as well'.
From my 16-year-old opinion
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Oxford Mum
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#16
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#16
And I wouldn’t be allowed to vote until I’m 131 ( officially I have a very low iq
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the bear
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#17
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#17
(Original post by Notoriety)
Were you at Cantab in the '40s, bear?
Were you at Cantab in the '40s, bear?
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Oxford Mum
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#18
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#18
I want to know the answer to that question the bear 🐻 is easily clever enough for Oxbridge
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the bear
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#19
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#19
(Original post by Oxford Mum)
And I wouldn’t be allowed to vote until I’m 131 ( officially I have a very low iq
And I wouldn’t be allowed to vote until I’m 131 ( officially I have a very low iq
https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school...e=easy-iq-test
so make yourself comfortable & in your own time....
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Notoriety
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#20
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#20
(Original post by Oxford Mum)
I want to know the answer to that question the bear 🐻 is easily clever enough for Oxbridge
I want to know the answer to that question the bear 🐻 is easily clever enough for Oxbridge
I believe he's a mathmo from Cambridge, but could be wrong.
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