(March 19, 2016 at 7:07 pm)paulpablo Wrote:

(March 19, 2016 at 5:47 pm)RozKek Wrote: Hey, before I start off I want to tell you that I'm not sure if this is the right section to post this in.

But my question is how much do you agree with this statement and why:
The average person with a good life, e.g good family, good education, good friends, living in an educated country, and is psychologically healthy can with effort learn, and become almost anything or at least lots of things (job wise), for example, learning to draw, becoming good at mathematics, good at sports, becoming a doctor, lawyer, scientist etc. (Not all at once of course)

For some reason it was difficult for me to phrase this question, but I hope you understand what I mean and if something is confusing, point it out and I'll fix it.
And I chose the atheist section because I thought people here would answer more realistically and more scientifically but anyone regardless of religion is more than welcome to post.

So the question is can an average person with pretty good resources get a pretty good job with effort.  The answer would be yes and it seems so simple I don't know why you would ask.

My intention when asking this question was to know if others thought that let's say not every "average person" can become/learn almost anything because of genetic limitations, etc. Maybe I wasn't clear enough, and I already said phrasing this question wasn't simple for me, english is my third language, so I have some difficulties.

I disagree with the premise.  "Talent" is something you either have or lack.  I, for example, have no talent for art.  I cannot draw a straight line.

How would you define someone as psychologically healthy?

(March 19, 2016 at 8:01 pm)Minimalist Wrote:



I disagree with the premise.  "Talent" is something you either have or lack.  I, for example, have no talent for art.  I cannot draw a straight line.

Isn't talent only that you can learn something quicker and/or be better than others at it? As an example the average person could never ever be as good as Ronaldo at football or as good as Leonardo da Vinci when it comes to drawing because they're talented. But don't you agree that the person I described could be reasonably good at football or drawing, with effort? Or would you say the described person is even more limited then that because of let's say genetics?

(March 19, 2016 at 8:01 pm)Minimalist Wrote:



I disagree with the premise.  "Talent" is something you either have or lack.  I, for example, have no talent for art.  I cannot draw a straight line.

Neither could Jackson Pollock, and he managed to do rather well.

Boru

(March 19, 2016 at 8:07 pm)Red_Wind Wrote: How would you define someone as psychologically healthy?

I'd say not affected by any mental health issues or anything alike. No OCD, Anxiety, Depression etc. Although I am aware that there are successful and intelligent people who do have mental health issues and I am not implying that people with mental health issues aren't able to be successful etc.

(March 19, 2016 at 5:47 pm)RozKek Wrote: But my question is how much do you agree with this statement and why:
The average person with a good life, e.g good family, good education, good friends, living in an educated country, and is psychologically healthy can with effort learn, and become almost anything or at least lots of things (job wise), for example, learning to draw, becoming good at mathematics, good at sports, becoming a doctor, lawyer, scientist etc. (Not all at once of course)

No, I don't agree with that statement at all. If your parents are poor, you stand a much bigger chance of ending up in the same country. Even where they don't charge for higher education. You still need a place to bunk, some cloths and something to eat, while you're not productive. That's something poor families can't provide.

That's not me saying it, that's based on statistics. Chances of getting one over your parents if they aren't at least middle class, are extremely slim.

(March 19, 2016 at 5:47 pm)RozKek Wrote: Hey, before I start off I want to tell you that I'm not sure if this is the right section to post this in.

But my question is how much do you agree with this statement and why:
The average person with a good life, e.g good family, good education, good friends, living in an educated country, and is psychologically healthy can with effort learn, and become almost anything or at least lots of things (job wise), for example, learning to draw, becoming good at mathematics, good at sports, becoming a doctor, lawyer, scientist etc. (Not all at once of course)

For some reason it was difficult for me to phrase this question, but I hope you understand what I mean and if something is confusing, point it out and I'll fix it.
And I chose the atheist section because I thought people here would answer more realistically and more scientifically but anyone regardless of religion is more than welcome to post.

It really isn't the right section as the question has nothing to do with atheism and anyone can post here. Moving along. . .

I think the answer to your question is that the average person is unable to learn to do many many jobs. Many jobs require, strength, stamina, reflexes, attention to detail, mathematical intelligence, reasoning ability, social skills, memory, verbal skills, artistic sense, rhythm, or some other relatively innate trait I'm forgetting.

I'm quite sure I have not the strength to be a carpenter or a gymnast; the stamina to be an air traffic controller or a general; the memory to be a doctor; the social skills to be a salesman. I do not have the mathematical skill to go into many hard sciences. Dance is truly beyond me.

Having been through law school, I can tell you that even of those who get into law school, about a quarter are not capable of becoming good or even marginally good attorneys. Probably almost everyone can learn to draw. I learned in my 40s. But many fewer can learn composition so becoming an artist is limited. My stepfather taught civil engineering and talked about the number of students who hit the wall there. Usually the problem was mathematical ability.

That said, most people can learn to do many many jobs, just not most of them.

(March 19, 2016 at 9:47 pm)Jenny A Wrote:

(March 19, 2016 at 5:47 pm)RozKek Wrote: Hey, before I start off I want to tell you that I'm not sure if this is the right section to post this in.

But my question is how much do you agree with this statement and why:
The average person with a good life, e.g good family, good education, good friends, living in an educated country, and is psychologically healthy can with effort learn, and become almost anything or at least lots of things (job wise), for example, learning to draw, becoming good at mathematics, good at sports, becoming a doctor, lawyer, scientist etc. (Not all at once of course)

For some reason it was difficult for me to phrase this question, but I hope you understand what I mean and if something is confusing, point it out and I'll fix it.
And I chose the atheist section because I thought people here would answer more realistically and more scientifically but anyone regardless of religion is more than welcome to post.

It really isn't the right section as the question has nothing to do with atheism and anyone can post here. Moving along. . .

I think the answer to your question is that the average person is unable to learn to do many many jobs. Many jobs require,  strength, stamina, reflexes, attention to detail, mathematical intelligence, reasoning ability, social skills, memory,  verbal skills, artistic sense, rhythm,  or some other relatively innate trait I'm forgetting.

I'm quite sure I have not the strength to be a carpenter or a gymnast; the stamina to be an air traffic controller or a general; the memory to be a doctor; the social skills to be a salesman.  I do not have the mathematical skill to go into many hard sciences.  Dance is truly beyond me.

Having been through law school, I can tell you that even of those who get into law school, about a quarter are not capable of becoming good or even marginally good attorneys.  Probably almost everyone can learn to draw. I learned in my 40s.  But many fewer can learn composition so becoming an artist is limited. My stepfather taught civil engineering and talked about the number of students who hit the wall there. Usually the problem was mathematical ability.

That said, most people can learn to do many many jobs,  just not most of them.

Thank you for your insight

And yes my odd stupid mistakes, is there a way to move a thread?

Quote: is there a way to move a thread?

The Divine Tiberius can move anything he wishes.