I find it extremely [...] threatening, and quite frightening that an exalted leader [...] holds these [...] beliefs
You haven’t said what “these beliefs” refers to, but given the preceding context, you seem to be strongly objecting not to any belief Bostrom holds, but to his lack of belief. In other words, it is threatening and frightening (in context) that Bostrom said: “It is not my area of expertise, and I don’t have any particular interest in the question. I would leave to others, who have more relevant knowledge, to debate whether or not in addition to environmental factors, epigenetic or genetic factors play any role”.
You mention a Wikipedia article that you don’t link to directly. I think you mean this one. Perhaps the most notable thing in this article is the following:
The scientific consensus is that there is no evidence for a genetic component behind IQ differences between racial groups.[148][149][150][147][151][152][153][52][154] Growing evidence indicates that environmental factors, not genetic ones, explain the racial IQ gap.[37][147][155][151]
I suppose you believe either (1) that it was completely unacceptable that Bostrom did not study up on this topic before writing an apology, or (2) that there is no need to study up because scientific study is not required to make a determination. Either way, I don’t agree. Please let me know whether I have understood your position correctly.
You haven’t said what “these beliefs” refers to, but given the preceding context, you seem to be strongly objecting not to any belief Bostrom holds, but to his lack of belief. In other words, it is threatening and frightening (in context) that Bostrom said: “It is not my area of expertise, and I don’t have any particular interest in the question. I would leave to others, who have more relevant knowledge, to debate whether or not in addition to environmental factors, epigenetic or genetic factors play any role”.
You mention a Wikipedia article that you don’t link to directly. I think you mean this one. Perhaps the most notable thing in this article is the following:
I suppose you believe either (1) that it was completely unacceptable that Bostrom did not study up on this topic before writing an apology, or (2) that there is no need to study up because scientific study is not required to make a determination. Either way, I don’t agree. Please let me know whether I have understood your position correctly.