Brian Boutwell

Brian Boutwell is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Saint Louis University. His research interests include the biological evolution of human traits, genetic and enviro

25 Posts

Sociology’s Stagnation Part II: Genetic Confounding

Some economists predict that increasing government spending now, say on infrastructure projects, will “stimulate” the economy by putting money in workers’ pockets.

Jonathan Anomaly / Brian Boutwell

3 Aug 2017 · 5 min read

A Risk Not Worth Taking: An Open Letter to My Colleagues in The Academy

We need a strategy that insulates us from hate, no matter what empirical research uncovers about the world.

Brian Boutwell

10 Jun 2017 · 4 min read

Is It Ever Better Not to Know?

It seems that gaining more knowledge, even on topics where that knowledge could be damaging in the short term, is the preferable approach.

Brian Boutwell / Bo Winegard / Jonathan Anomaly

2 May 2017 · 7 min read

Why Citing a Scientific Study Does Not Finish An Argument

A single study is rarely anything more than suggestive, and often it takes many replications under a variety of circumstances to provide strong justification for a conclusion.

Jonathan Anomaly / Brian Boutwell

25 Apr 2017 · 7 min read

Epigenetics Has Become Dangerously Fashionable

“Many of our expert epigenetics research colleagues are deeply embarrassed by the warm, uncritical response their work has attracted from the social sciences,”

Brian Boutwell / Conor Barnes

7 Apr 2017 · 6 min read

Not Everything Is An Interaction

Despite strong genetic influences on IQ (and there are strong genetic influences on IQ), we can’t calculate the proportion of credit for Einstein’s intellect that is owed solely to his genes.

Brian Boutwell

31 Mar 2017 · 4 min read

On Parenting and Parents

Their accomplishment was huge; not because they moulded me into the man that I am today. No, their accomplishment was even greater.

Brian Boutwell

16 Mar 2017 · 5 min read

Sociology's Stagnation

The curricula of sociology departments are so deeply flawed that they will need to be revised from the ground up.

Brian Boutwell

5 Mar 2017 · 11 min read

Is Crime Genetic? Scientists Don’t Know Because They’re Afraid to Ask

What if much of what we know about the causes of crime is either deeply flawed or flat out wrong?

Brian Boutwell / Conor Barnes

18 Feb 2017 · 7 min read

Dealing with the Reality That Not Everyone Can Succeed

Two traits — general intelligence and self-control — are perhaps our best individual level predictors of living a successful life.

Brian Boutwell

6 Feb 2017 · 6 min read

If You’re Reading This Essay, You Should Probably Have (More) Children

A number of popular articles (and books) have implored people to have fewer children as a way of minimizing anthropogenic global warming.

Jonathan Anomaly / Brian Boutwell

2 Feb 2017 · 6 min read

Does Religion Cause Violence?

Make no mistake, we should be wary of the effects that beliefs might have.

Brian Boutwell / Jonathan Anomaly

22 Jan 2017 · 10 min read

Monks in High Towers: A Plea to Our Fellow Academics

We should remember that the creation of knowledge is generally a positive sum game. When practitioners in one field make progress and gain insight, all fields stand to benefit.

Jonathan Anomaly / Brian Boutwell

6 Jan 2017 · 11 min read

What is a Sexist?

Recognizing the existence of differences between men and women should not be considered a regression for the women’s rights movement.

Jonathan Anomaly / Brian Boutwell

20 Dec 2016 · 7 min read

What is a Racist? Why Moral Progress Hinges on Getting the Answer Right

We are not arguing that racism has vanished, or that racists don’t exist. We’re making precisely the opposite argument.

Jonathan Anomaly / Brian Boutwell

21 Nov 2016 · 5 min read