This week, we began our debates about intelligence. For the first debate, we discussed whether or not there are multiple intelligences. I thought that both sides presented compelling arguments, although I do still believe there are multiple intelligences. However, I think that the presence of multiple intelligences does not mean that there cannot be one general measure of intelligence, and vice versa. I think it is nearly impossible to establish a "scoring system" of sorts to determine how much of one skill is equivalent to another.
For example, is a renowned author considered more intelligent than an individual who is an expert mechanic? Is the reverse true? If we considered the two of them equal in intelligence, would we consider the mechanic to be more intelligent if we discovered he was also highly skilled in the art of flower arranging? The problem with measuring intelligence based on skills is that this is not a video game. We cannot level ourselves up, get bonus points for skills, and choose the best character on the start-up screen based on the total number of skill points they have, no matter the distribution. We are so unique as individuals, and our skills and talents reflect that. I think it is extremely difficult to "measure" intelligence, especially when we consider multiple intelligences.
I understand and agree with your comparison or anti-metaphor to intelligence as a video game. However, while I agree intelligence should not be looked at by what we are able to do I think we should like at why we chose to do those things. If you are naturally gifted at something you are more likely to pursue it. Also, isn't the desire for progress and curiousity what makes us an intelligent species? Can a person who is brilliant but unwillingly to learn comparably intelligent to a PhD candidate who may not have the same intellectual talent, but the drive to learn and discover? I don't think it matters which skill is more useful or challenging than the other. I think it's important to note when people do have interests and intellectual pursuits. I agree this is difficult to measure, especially considering multiple intelligences.
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