Adrian Wooldridge discusses how the 19th-century search for talent was shaped by utilitarianism and liberal reforms. Reformers like John Stuart Mill remained suspicious of the masses, seeking to replace the landed aristocracy with an "aristocracy of talen

Adrian Wooldridge discusses how the 19th-century search for talent was shaped by utilitarianism and liberal reforms. Reformers like John Stuart Mill remained suspicious of the masses, seeking to replace the landed aristocracy with an "aristocracy of talent." This led to the development of psychometrics and standardized IQ testing, exemplified by the 11-plus examination in Britain, designed to allocate educational opportunities based on general mental ability. While intended to remove nepotism, the system faced early criticism for potentially favoring those from wealthy backgrounds who could purchase better education. 3
1680