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person2010–present

Dr Kathryn Paige Harden

Disciplines:
psychology
political philosophy
economics/inequality
biology/behavioral genetics

Summary

American behavioral geneticist at UT Austin whose The Genetic Lottery argues that genetic differences contribute to life outcomes and that acknowledging this is compatible with — and necessary for — a just egalitarian politics.

Core Contribution

Made the most intellectually honest and politically progressive case for taking genetics seriously — arguing that the left must accept the reality of genetic influences on outcomes in order to build a genuinely just political program, rather than denying genetics and thereby ceding the field to the right.

Key Spikes & Highlights

  • Luck Egalitarianism Applied to Genes (the political argument that because genetic advantages are morally arbitrary — no one earns their genes — acknowledging genetic influences on outcomes strengthens rather than weakens the case for redistribution)

Notable Works & Achievements

The Genetic Lottery

Historical Influences

Behavioral genetics tradition Robert Plomin

Intellectual Lineage

Behavioral Genetics Twin Studies ResearchLiberal Political Philosophy

Contemporaries & Peers

Stuart RitchieRobert Plomin Eric Turkheimer

Minds Influenced

Genetics and policy discourseProgressive engagement with biologyMW genetics content

Intellectual Posterity

The Genetic Lottery Genetics and progressive politicsGene-environment correlation research

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