What is intelligence, Anyway?

What is intelligence, Anyway?

                                                                                                Issac Asimov, USA

                                                                                                [ 1920-1992]

Apply the four levels of meanings to the text “What is intelligence Anyway?”

Literal comprehension: the writer scored 160 in aptitude test that morally people scored 100. With this score the writer felt himself more intelligent than others. In army selection/ training he scored such high level. He used to regularly go to auto- repair man whom he evaluated that he would hardly score 80. He thought he was far more intelligent than auto- repair man. Once the auto- repair mechanics asked the writer an intelligent question. If a deaf and mute person went into a hardware store to ask for some nail, he puts two fingers signaled like hammering with finger. In this context the auto-repair man asked the writer how could a blind man asked for scissor. Writer gave hand single with fingers that was wrong answer. The essay but tricky answer was “by asking” as scissor. Auto-repairman made the writer mad or an educated fool.

Interpretations: this impressive essay might be trying to highlight the relative function of intelligence. This means intelligence can’t be absolute one. Again, the next ideas it might be focusing on the concept that no one can be jack of all and master of all but one can be the jack of all masters of none. No one can always be perfect in every situation and in every work. A person can be perfect in one sector but can’t be in others like the writer. Still the text might also be trying to impart the massage that we should not dominate other as an interior in our in any case because he can be better than us in other cases. We shouldn’t overvalue ourselves and undervalue others. Cook is perfect in preparing varieties of dishes so is an auto repair man in repairing vehicles and a teacher is teaching learning strategies but not in computer and scientific sector by the same person.

Critical thinking: the basic concept given in this short but congested essay is always praiseworthy. We have to be critical and creative as we can. But we cannot always be smart. Education and the intelligence are two different subjects. Despite being impressed from writer’s idea we can raise some disagreeing points. Did the writer be able to answer such easy questions? Even than we cannot fully be disagree with the ideas given in this essay.

Assimilation: after reading this text I got the ideas that we have to thinks that even a normal person can be perfect in concerned subject matter. Each and every one can be best in his or her place. There should not be the concept of senior or more talented and less talented. We have to see from practical knowledge because sometimes a shepherd can instruct a scientist.

c. Do you agree with Asimov that human beings can’t be placed on a one-dimensional intelligence scale, that they are all made up of a unique mixture of intelligence and stupidity?

            I fully agree with this strong and impressive concept given by the writer in this essay “What is Intelligence, Anyway?” actually the concept of intelligence is a relative things. It can’t be absolute in all places and situations. Rather it never can be placed on a one dimensional pattern because a person having highest level of aptitude test can be useless in machinery and technical aspect. Like the writer who scored 160 far better than normal score 100 but in front of a common auto repair man he became like an uneducated and stupid person. But the writer had evaluated the auto-mechanic would score maximum 80 from his calculation.

            All people have different levels of intelligence that cant be generalized and can’t be in one dimensional scale. We human beings are mixed up intelligence and stupidity so that we can’t always be master of everything and everywhere. So, we can be jack of all but not the master of all. Though some educated people assume themselves more intelligence than others but uneducated and common persons can defeat sometimes them. It is meaningless always regard ourselves as a smart, perfect and the intelligent because we do have stupidity with us as well. Since this concept is different is human being, two people can’t be of similar nature and of same capacity as well.