What is Intelligence? - 2 Points Explored

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The discussion centers on the nature of intelligence and the characteristics that define exceptional physicists. Intelligence is debated as a measure of abstract problem-solving ability, with suggestions that it may involve both biological factors, such as the number and organization of neural connections, and experiential factors, including education and curiosity. The conversation explores whether greater intelligence correlates with more gray matter or a different arrangement of neurons, while also touching on the impact of environmental factors on cognitive development.The discussion also questions what distinguishes great physicists, suggesting that personal experiences and unique cognitive talents play significant roles. Some participants argue that intelligence is not solely about innate ability but can be developed through effort and effective learning strategies. The conversation highlights the complexity of defining intelligence, noting that it encompasses various forms, including social intelligence and creativity, and that traditional IQ tests may not capture the full spectrum of cognitive abilities. Overall, the dialogue emphasizes the multifaceted nature of intelligence and its measurement.
  • #31
AhmedEzz said:
So you eventually concluded that intelligence is a measure of number of connections between neurons, or the number of neurons or the density of neurons? Also, do the neurons communicate at the same speed or do the transmitters sometimes 'rush' and sometimes 'slack'? This can be relevant to sleep, don't know.

Not really. My point was about the optimisation of connectivity in the non-linear dynamics sense. The tipping point, criticality, etc.

The idea is that the brain is a "lively" hierarchy which is good at shifting from one adaptive state to the next.

Scalefree networks do give you optimal number of input connnections to output connections and such like. So instead of raw numbers of connections, it is about having the best balance of connections to be poised and maximally responsive. The U-curve found in psychological experiments that show best performance comes somewhere along the spectrum from low arousal to high arousal. That sort of thing.
 
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  • #32
Is that your field of study/work or did you read that somewhere? If the latter, would you direct me to what you read, if there is not one text, would you drop keywords.
 
  • #33
Psychology, neuroscience, human evolution, consciousness, was my specialty for about 10 years, then the last 10 it has been complexity and systems science.

The ideas I'm talking about are still on the bleeding edge so no popular science level references come to mind.

But if you explain exactly your level of interest and purpose, I could certainly point to some of the literature. Perhaps PM me if that is more appropriate.
 
  • #34
Frozen Light said:
I have two points I'm thinking about here...

1. What is intelligence?

JoeDawg said:
Abstract problem solving ability.

That's what I was thinking. Intelligence is the consumption by so much abstract problem solving that one neglects important things in life, which is really a stoopid thing to do.
 
  • #35
Frozen Light said:
I have two points I'm thinking about here...

1. What is intelligence? .. If a person is said to be more intelligent than another, does he have more gray matter? Are neurons organized in a different arrangement allowing for more efficient thinking; a more efficient pattern of application of those neurons?

2. What makes a great physicist? How can one or two individuals think so much more clearly over the unknown than hundreds of others?

Intelligence is when you get nerds in pocket protectors to do all the work then you get paid for it. Then you have time to post to forums at 4:30am in the morning and visit the State Hermitage's website...

At least that's what they told me at the Junior College I attended...
 
  • #36
swat4life said:
Intelligence is when you get nerds in pocket protectors to do all the work then you get paid for it. Then you have time to post to forums at 4:30am in the morning and visit the State Hermitage's website...

At least that's what they told me at the Junior College I attended...

so what kind are you?
the one in the pocket or the other way round?:rolleyes:
 
  • #37
I should think that a definition of intelligence should include a capacity or 'knack' for learning. I wouldn't know how to go about measuring it, however.
 

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