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Group differences in average cognitive ability are often considered the most controversial topic in psychology, and various attempts have been made to suppress research in this area. Supporters of these measures have justified them on the grounds that such research is socially harmful. However, in recent years the assumption that all demographic groups have equal average ability has been a major cause of racial discrimination in the United States. This discrimination has most frequently been directed against high-achieving groups, on the grounds that they have not legitimately earned their success. Separately, within the American criminal justice system the same assumption has resulted in racial discrimination with respect to which defendants receive the death penalty. In order to uphold a non-discriminatory society consistent with the principles of liberalism, research about group differences should not be suppressed, and should instead be used responsibly to oppose these forms of prejudice.

Keywords: intelligence; cognitive ability; race; discrimination; equity; liberalism; IQ commensurability; research ethics