A forum for discussion ideas
Historical Background In 1690, English philosopher John Locke stated that we all come into the world as intellectually “blank slates” (Tabula Rasa, in Latin) and acquire knowledge and intelligence that are written on these slates by our experiences. The political view underpinning Locke’s assertion was that if, indeed, we all enter the world as blank …
High intelligence is probably a prerequisite for genius, especially the kind of genius that is expressed in abstract fields like mathematics, physics and the other sciences, because measures of intelligence are highly correlated with performance in these fields. In the arts, high intelligence may be less important than a special creativity, skill or knowledge. Shakespeare’s …
What’s the difference between a highly intelligent person and a Genius? Read More »
In answering this question, it may be helpful to compare and contrast the unfolding of intellectual talent with that of athletic talent. Comparison Those gifted with superior athletic ability, usually discover early in their lives that they are more agile than most, can run faster or jump higher, or have greater physical strength. As they …
In 2011, a large group of researchers published the results of a genome-wide analysis of 549,692 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involving 3511 unrelated adults. (An SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide.) (See: Davies, G., A. Tenesa, A. Payton, J. Yang, S.E. Harris, D. Liewald, et al. 2011. “Genome-wide …
The answer to this question carries bad news and good news. The bad news is that human cognitive abilities, including memory and intelligence are limited by many variables including time. The good news is that, within those limits there is room for a prodigious memory and remarkable intellectual achievements. What limits human cognitive abilities? Perhaps …
Is there a limit to human potential for learning/memory/intelligence? Read More »
A direct assessment of the trajectory of human intelligence throughout a lifetime came in 1936, when John Raven developed his Raven’s Progressive Matrices tests of intelligence. To norm these tests, i.e., establish baseline data on what scores adults could be expected to achieve as they age, he conducted widespread testing in the United Kingdom, Ireland, …
Psychologists generally agree that your genetics determine your intellectual potential, however, environmental factors play a key role in helping you maximize that intellectual capital. Your teen years offer a special opportunity to hone your intellectual abilities because, as you enter puberty, there occurs a round of rapid and extensive production of neurons and synapses that …
Can someone become intelligent at any age? Is there any process? Read More »
One thing that we can say with a reasonably high level of certainty is that without above average intelligence and a strong work ethic, it is very difficult to accumulate wealth. Of course, a person can inherit wealth, win a lottery or accumulate wealth with a stroke of insight or luck. However, these are exceptions …
Can hard work and intelligence lead to wealth, or are there other factors involved? Read More »
Your response to questions such as these would probably depend upon the intent of the person making the assertion. Is their comment intended as a compliment on your intellectual ability or is it intended as a “putdown?” Your interpretation of their intent will be based upon the relationship you have with that person. If someone …
John von Neumann is not as well-known as Oppenheimer or Einstein because von Neumann was a mathematician, while Oppenheimer and Einstein were physicists. (see John von Neumann – Intelligence and IQ ) For the same reason, many people recognize the names, Stephen Hawking, Madame Curie and Isaac Newton, while few people have heard of Andrew Wiles, Kurt …
