Every Generation Thinks More Abstractly

The “Flynn effect” shows a pervasive increase of correct IQ test answers in each generation, and these gains occur everywhere, across various cultures and educational or economic opportunities. This has been tracked since World War I and has been documented in 30 countries. IQ gains are three points every ten years.

David Epstein writes, “To put that into perspective, if an adult who scored average today were compared to adults a century ago, she would be in the 98th percentile.”

The improvement comes very specifically on the most abstract words. The more abstract the word or concept, the bigger the improvement. The new generations did not do better than their grandparents on observable phenomena, but improved “massively” on imperceptible (abstract) concepts.

“Children today are far better at solving problems on the spot without a previously learned method for doing so,” continues Epstein. “They are more able to extract patterns where none are given. Modern brains are supercharged for the most abstract tests and concepts.”

I find this both very encouraging and comforting. I prize abstract concepts, in art, in poetic metaphor, and in spiritual insight.

The rise of abstraction in art has mirrored this trend of increased abstract thinking in the last century. Complexity in society is mirrored by technical advances in computer science, as it too gets more abstract. And spiritual reasoning and metaphysical experience have never had a more fertile ground, if it can be released from the baggage of our ancestors put on it.

The rising generations, who we hope will learn more critical thinking, are clearly becoming optimized for it.

I find this exciting. Maybe this next generation can actually solve the colossal problems that we’ve left them? Maybe they can find the solutions to getting along and living sustainably and equitably on this single planet?

No wonder, too, that abstract thinkers (like me) have always been called “ahead of our time.”  It is not surprising now that the younger generations love my art best, or most quickly grasp a spiritual idea. When so much seems like it is going wrong these days, we can work with this quiet but prevalent trend toward abstract thinking!