Chapter 1 What is intelligence?
Intelligence is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses the ability to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, understand and handle abstract concepts, and use knowledge to manipulate one’s environment. It includes a range of cognitive processes such as perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning. The definition and measurement of intelligence have been subjects of debate for many years among psychologists and educators.
There are several theories of intelligence that propose different types and aspects of intelligence. One of the most influential theories is Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. According to Gardner, there are eight distinct types of intelligence, each representing different ways of processing information:
Linguistic Intelligence: The ability to think in words and use language to express and appreciate complex meanings.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically.
Spatial Intelligence: The potential to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to control bodily motions and handle objects skillfully.
Musical Intelligence: A skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the ability to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms.
Interpersonal Intelligence: The capacity 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.
Intrapersonal Intelligence: The capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one’s feelings, fears, and motivations.
Naturalist Intelligence: The ability to observe, appreciate, and understand the natural world.
Later, Gardner suggested the possible addition of a ninth intelligence, Existential Intelligence, which is the capacity to ponder deep questions about human existence such as the meaning of life and death, though this has not been widely adopted as part of the theory.
It’s important to note that these intelligences are not mutually exclusive; they often work together in complex ways. Furthermore, Gardner’s theory emphasizes that every individual has varying levels of each type of intelligence, suggesting a more personalized approach to education and learning. Other theories, like those proposed by Robert Sternberg and Daniel Goleman, focus on different aspects of intelligence such as analytical, creative, practical intelligence (Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence) and emotional intelligence (Goleman), further broadening our understanding of what intelligence entails.
1.1 Intuitive Intelligence
The term “intuitive intelligence” is not one of the original types of intelligence identified in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which remains one of the most referenced frameworks in the discussion of diverse cognitive abilities. Gardner’s theory initially identified seven types of intelligence (linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence), later expanding to include naturalist, and possibly existential and pedagogical intelligences.
However, the concept of “intuitive intelligence” has been discussed and explored outside of Gardner’s framework by various authors and researchers in the fields of psychology, business, and personal development. Intuitive intelligence refers to the ability to understand or know something without conscious reasoning, tapping into an inner sense or gut feeling that guides decision-making. It encompasses aspects of understanding beyond the traditional analytical processes and involves a deep connection with the subconscious mind.
Intuitive intelligence is often associated with creativity, innovation, and decision-making. It’s considered crucial in scenarios where information is incomplete or too complex for rational analysis alone. In business, for example, leaders are sometimes said to use intuitive intelligence when making strategic decisions that cannot be made based on data alone.
While “intuitive intelligence” is not formally recognized within the most widely accepted taxonomies of intelligence, such as those proposed by Gardner or in the triarchic theory of intelligence by Robert Sternberg, it is a concept that continues to gain interest for its role in human cognition and behavior. The exploration of intuitive intelligence intersects with other areas of psychological research, including studies on intuition, gut feelings, and the subconscious, highlighting the complexity and breadth of human cognitive abilities.
1.2 Human Cognition
Human cognition encompasses all aspects of intellectual functions and processes involved in gaining knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. It includes processes such as perception, memory, judgment, evaluation, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and language use. Fundamentally, cognition is about how we understand our world, process information, and apply knowledge.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave serves as a profound metaphor for the distinction between direct and indirect cognition. In this allegory, Plato describes prisoners chained in a cave who have never seen the outside world. They see shadows cast on the wall from objects passing in front of a fire behind them and believe these shadows to be reality because they have never seen anything else. According to Plato, the shadows represent the perceptions of those who believe empirical evidence (perceived through the senses) to be the truest form of reality. However, the essence of objects (the objects casting the shadows, representing the Forms or Ideas) exists outside the cave - a reality only perceivable through metaphysical inquiry and philosophical reasoning.
In this metaphorical context, direct cognition can be likened to understanding the true essence of things, akin to coming out of the cave and seeing the objects that cast the shadows. This direct cognition might correspond with “intuitive intelligence,” where one has an innate understanding or insight into the true nature of reality without relying solely on empirical evidence or sensory perception.
Indirect cognition, then, involves understanding the world through the “shadows” - that is, through the sensory data and empirical evidence available to us, which can be considered a reflection of a deeper reality. This could be associated with “analytic intelligence,” which relies on logic, critical thinking, and the processing of sensory information to make sense of the world.
From this perspective, intelligent behavior involves the interplay between intuitive and analytic intelligence. Intuitive intelligence could indeed be seen as a higher synthesis, integrating the insights gained from the five physical senses and analytic processes to grasp a deeper, more holistic understanding of reality. Intelligence, in this broader cognitive context, plays the crucial role of enabling individuals to transcend the limitations of sensory perception and empirical evidence, allowing for a more profound, intuitive understanding of the essence of things.
Therefore, while analytic intelligence allows us to interpret and understand the “shadows” or empirical manifestations in our world, intuitive intelligence may offer a direct insight into the true nature of reality beyond those manifestations. This duality echoes the dual process theories in psychology, which suggest that human cognition operates through both intuitive (fast, automatic, subconscious processing) and analytic (slow, deliberate, conscious processing) systems, each contributing uniquely to our understanding and interaction with the world around us.
1.3 Assagioli’s Model
The association of intuition and subconscious processes with being “under” the usual state of awareness stems from traditional psychological models that view consciousness as a layered structure, with the conscious mind at the top or surface and the subconscious or unconscious mind lying beneath. This conceptualization is influenced by early psychoanalytic theories, particularly those of Sigmund Freud, who posited that the unconscious mind operates below the level of conscious awareness, influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
However, the view that intuitive processes are necessarily “lower” or “sub” to conscious awareness is not universally held, and many contemporary psychological theories and models propose different perspectives on the nature of intuition and its place within consciousness. Roberto Assagioli’s Psychosynthesis model is an excellent example of a framework that challenges traditional views, suggesting instead that intuition might be linked to a “higher” state of awareness.
In Psychosynthesis, Assagioli presents a more inclusive and holistic view of the human psyche, which encompasses both lower and higher unconscious levels, along with the middle ground of conscious awareness. The “higher unconscious” or “superconscious” is seen as a source of inspiration, spiritual insight, and higher intuition. From this perspective, intuitive processes can indeed belong to a higher state of awareness, acting as a bridge between the individual self and a more universal or collective dimension of consciousness.
Assagioli’s model posits that these higher states of awareness are accessible to individuals and can significantly enhance personal growth, creativity, and understanding. Intuitive intelligence, then, could be viewed as an expression of this higher intuition, offering insights that transcend ordinary rational and sensory-based knowledge. It suggests that intuitive processes can guide individuals toward a more profound, interconnected understanding of themselves and the world around them.
This perspective aligns with various spiritual and philosophical traditions worldwide, which often regard intuition as a higher form of wisdom or knowing that goes beyond the limitations of the intellect and the five senses. Instead of being a mere subconscious process, intuition in these contexts is seen as a pivotal component of a more expansive, integrated consciousness.
While traditional psychology has often situated intuitive processes in the subconscious, alternative models like Psychosynthesis and various philosophical and spiritual traditions propose a different view. They suggest that intuition can emanate from a higher state of consciousness, offering a more comprehensive and insightful understanding of reality that complements and transcends analytical thinking and sensory perception.