Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ What Is Intelligence?

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

This short article is more concerned about unpacking the "suitcase word" 'intelligence' than in delving deep into the meaning and nuance. It distinguishes between various types of intelligence, such as human intelligence, biological intelligence, and of course, artificial intelligence. According to the article, intelligence "is the ability to comprehend and purposefully react to information, usually sensory data from the surrounding environment." Human intelligence, by contrast "is the capacity to acquire, process, and apply knowledge effectively, solving problems, adapting to new situations, and demonstrating creativity and emotional understanding." Neither definition satisfies; we don't 'acquire knowledge', for example. It's not clear intelligence requires purpose. And I'm pretty sure an emotionless person can still be called 'intelligent'. Ah, if only someone had developed a theory of multiple intelligences to address this.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
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Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024 08:28 a.m.

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