Intelligentem

Intelligentem

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

June 17, 2012

The ability to perceive, the faculty of understanding, IQ, acuity, acumen, agility, alertness, aptitude, brainpower, brains, brightness, brilliance, capacity, cleverness, comprehension, coruscation, discernment, gray matter, intellect, judgment, luminosity, penetration, perception, perspicacity, precocity, quickness, quotient, reason, sagacity, savvy, sense, skill, smarts, subtlety, trenchancy, understanding, what it takes, are all adjectives used as synonyms for intelligence.

The word intelligence is only regarded as one word which most of us don’t take the time to look into more depth because we are always too caught up in our daily routine. The word “intelligence,” signifies intelligentia, "understanding," from intelligentem (nom. intelligens) "discerning," prp. of intelligere "to understand, comprehend," from inter- "between" + legere "choose, pick out, read" (see lecture). Meaning superior understanding, sagacity."

What’s more fascinating though, is the different classifications of intelligence such as:

1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”):

Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations).  This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef.  It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like.

2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”):

Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone.  This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners.  Interestingly, there is often an affective connection between music and the emotions; and mathematical and musical intelligences may share common thinking processes.  Young adults with this kind of intelligence are usually singing or drumming to themselves.  They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss.

3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart):

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations.  It enables us to perceive relationships and connections and to use abstract, symbolic thought; sequential reasoning skills; and inductive and deductive thinking patterns.  Logical intelligence is usually well developed in mathematicians, scientists, and detectives.  Young adults with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories, and relationships.  They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.

4. Existential Intelligence:

Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

5. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”):

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others.  It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to note distinctions among others, sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives.  Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians all exhibit interpersonal intelligence.  Young adults with this kind of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good at communicating, and seem to understand others’ feelings and motives.

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”):

Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills.  This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union.  Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence.

7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart):

Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings.  Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language.  Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers.  Young adults with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.

8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”):

Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directioning one’s life.  Intra-personal intelligence involves not only an appreciation of the self, but also of the human condition.  It is evident in psychologist, spiritual leaders, and philosophers.  These young adults may be shy.  They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.

9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”):

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions.  Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination.  Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence.  Young adults with this kind of intelligence may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing or daydreaming.

 “The Nine Types of Intelligence”

By Howard Gardner

Source:

http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm

Navigating through the internet I read about the people with the highest IQ in the world: Paul Allen, Microsoft partner: IQ: 160, Robert Byrne, one of the “Collins Kids,” on the chess board: IQ: 170, Benjamin Netanyahu, number 11 of the world´s most influential people in 2010: IQ: 180, Marilyn vos Savant, the woman with the highest IQ for five consecutive years: IQ: 186 - she has tested as high as 228 on various IQ tests, Garry Kasparov, Chess Grandmaster, writer, political activist, IQ: 190, Terrence Tao, the youngest ever full professor at UCLA. IQ of 230, and last but not least, or I should say, number one on the list, James Sidis, Psychiatrist, scored and IQ of 275. 

http://www.businessinsider.com/smartest-person-in-the-world-2011-12?op=1

What about Albert Einstein who maximized 5% of his brain power, Mark, Elliot Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs? What category would they fall in? These men in modern and old history have influenced the world in a way that very few individuals have. What type of intelligence do they each fall under? Did they or are they using their entire brain and intelligence capacity? What makes them stand out? Were they gifted from the moment their mothers gave birth to them? Can one inherit those intelligence traits?

For example, according to internet sources, William James Sidis, obtained seven different degrees, he could speak close to 40 different languages, he wrote 15 books, wrote many articles, amongst other achievements.

Another source states that William James Sidis never underwent an IQ test but experts estimate that he could score a 250 which would make him the most intelligent person in the world up to now.

I wonder if he classified under the nine types of intelligence, maybe he maximized all of them? Mine is definitely spatial intelligence and a little bit here and there.

There should definitely be more wizards in the world.