What Is Intelligence

Many would say defining intelligence is easily done, or that intelligence is clearly the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. However, there is more than just one type of intelligence in people. Not every human has the same thought process and abilities. Every individual has their own set of unique abilities and talents that cannot be defined and captured in one sentence. Intelligence is defined by human beings, and by their actions, theories, beliefs, and innovations. Many have searched to define intelligence, which is why we are left with numerous theories of what intelligence actually is.

Perhaps, there are two types of intelligence that categorize numerous talents and abilities possessed by humans. Isaac Asimov wrote an article titled, “ What is Intelligence, Anyway”. In this article Asimov begins the endless endeavor of defining intelligence.

Asimov believes there are two types of intelligence. He begins to explain how some people have the talent of memorization and critical thinking. Others have minds that can imagine something and create or repair it to its magnificent structure.

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Asimov’s theory is proven to be true, for there are two different sides of the brain. Each side controls two different types of thinking. The first is the right side, which is used for creative thinking. The second is the left this is used for logical thinking. It has been proven that young children harness more power from the creative side. Since schools generally teach towards logical thinking as children grow older more than half of the population use logical thinking.

This has a tremendous impact on human intelligence. This shows that people can be equally intelligent but their intelligence can lay in different areas along with the idea that intelligence is something that is not fixed but can be increased. Many would argue that talents and intelligence are not the same thing. However, talent is just a predisposition to be successful in a certain venture. This definition also explains the ease some have with mathematics and linguistics; therefore, it is logical to say that areas commonly thought of as talents have just as much to do with intelligence as areas more commonly perceived as “actually intelligence.”

Often people forget that intelligence is not limited to logic, mathematics, and linguistics. Intelligence expands to the creators, innovators, and menders as well as the logical thinkers. Every person comprehends things differently. This does not make one human more intelligent from the other. They simply have mastered different intelligent skills. Perhaps, the most intelligent human being would be one who can use the left and right side of their brain to each of their maximum capabilities.