The University of Otago philosopher and intelligence researcher, whose work has shown there have been massive IQ gains over successive generations, says more needs to be done to harness bright young minds for the good of society.
"We are focusing too much on IQ," Prof Flynn says.
"We have these kids whose minds are thoroughly modernised. And they are capable of far more achievement than we are giving them. The question is, how do we enhance the potential?"
Having a high IQ is not enough, he says.
"You can have a very good IQ and be a lawyer who does conveyancing but has been so poorly educated that he never thinks about whether we should go to war in Iraq. Or, a brain surgeon who whenever he sees a story in the newspaper that requires a little elementary economics, he just sets it aside."]
Prof Flynn believes universities are not doing enough to develop the critical intelligence of young people to deal with the modern world.
"If people had a somewhat broader education, they might actually have more critical intelligence and be a better citizen. We don’t need to raise IQ for that. We just need to capitalise on these kids. All of them can learn science, they can learn history. They are not like kids in 1900 who had four years of education.
"So, to my mind the future is not so much whether IQ gains will go on, but whether we capitalise on the IQ gains of the 20th century."
He suggests all university students, no matter what their course of study, should be required to learn a little elementary economics, history, moral philosophy and international relations.
"Any university graduate could learn it. But we sure as hell don’t learn it at university ... We aren’t capitalising on the intellectual capacity of our people."
Politicians would see such a change as a double-edged sword, Prof Flynn says.
A better educated public is desirable to grow the economy, but a more critical voter holds little appeal.
"I’m not saying every politician is venal. Most of them would say, ‘That’s in the public’s interest, but let’s wait until I’m out of office’.
"Of course it’s not in government’s interest to have a more critical citizenry who holds them to account. That’s actually in the public’s interest."
