I find this New York Times essay by Tyler Cowen inspiring. When many felt that innate difference among human beings largely accounted for differences in social outcomes, or feel that different classes of human beings ought to be treated very differently, economists have been appropriately skeptical.

Now, when the pendulum has sometimes swung toward downplaying innate differences too much, economists (along with Steven Pinker) are appropriately skeptical about the “blank slate” view, as well, emphasizing that there are, indeed, some important innate differences–but that these differences do not justify treating people badly:

• Bryan Caplan: Baffled by “Analytical Egalitarianism.”