Definitions of Intelligence

From: Christopher Whipple (byteboy@simons-rock.edu)
Date: Fri Dec 11 1998 - 09:17:17 MST


Despite all of the flames and hostility, I've noticed recently that
younger people have been a more active part of this list. Whether
positively or negatively seems to be irrelevant. But it has blessed me
with enough courage to post something of my own.

The question arose in a Physiology of the Cetaceans lecture -- how would
you go about determining the intelligence of a Cetacean? Which lead us to
the more basic question -- how would you define intelligence. I offer you
this, my answer:

Intelligence: The ability to logically choose between a set of rational
and irrational methods to obtain a goal, project various outcomes, and
proceed in realizing the goal - taking as many of the variable into
consideration as possible.

Do mind the wording -- my Elementary School fed me the Whole Language
curriculum. ;]

However, I did have to word it so that it would be applicable to species
other than our own...

Your thoughts?

-christopher
NEWSFLASH: "This just in!! Cain and Abel were switched at birth!"



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