Do personal convictions promote scientific progress? Comment on Gagne's "My convictions about the nature of abilities, gifts, and talents"

Professor Francoys Gagne's article entitled "My Convictions About the Natur e of Abilities, Gifts, and Talents" is discussed. Although the author accep ts many of Gagne's statements, a comprehensive rationale for the opinion pr esented is missing. In particular, explanation of developmental mechanisms, of learning processes. and of the dynamics of gene-environment interaction would have made Gagne's convictions more acceptable and would make discuss ion easier. This author doubts that agreement among colleagues would be suf ficient to define giftedness unless the main theoretical questions Lire ans wered.