Multiple
Patterns of Intelligence
Intelligence is a human way to defy
opposing fate. Intelligence encompasses many mental
abilities, it also comprehends the manner an individual
relates and reacts to others. But it is above all the
capacity to ask the right question to inspire the right
action, in order to overcome one’s self-ambiguities
and solve problems. Intelligence isn't necessarily
creative, it can be destructive... For instance, too
much critical thought can obfuscate other mental faculties.
The contrary of intelligence is stupidity (when
it is lacking) or routine (when it is underemployed).
There are 4 major thinking patterns aimed to problem
solving: A) Logical thinking, B) Correlative
thinking, C) Lateral or Divergent
thinking, D) Non-conceptual thinking (see
below).
 |
 |
The
4 Interdisciplinary Thinking Patterns
 Even
though the 4 main thinking patterns touch each other,
as shown in the diagram opposite, each pattern keeps
its individual operative system (sphere), because
it occupies a very distinct function level.
Shifting
from one thinking level to another is like changing
gear in a car while driving. In fact, changing gears
allows the driver to use a quite different speed
range. But one gear is not necessarily superior to
another: a low gear may enable more power, while
a high gear may enable more speed. The same occurs
with the mind, you may sometimes swap one thinking
level for another in order to speed up or slow down
the mental flux. When a problem is not soluble within
a particular thinking pattern/level, it makes sense
to find a solution on another thinking pattern/level
(cf. chapter “Cos’è in fondo la
logica”, page 21, FantaLogica).
Some
mental abilities involved by the 4 Thinking Patterns:
Fantasy -
from Greek phantazesthai "picture
to oneself" - , is the mental faculty or activity
of imagining things by an individual or group,
which does not correspond necessarily with reality,
achievability, or esthetics but expresses certain
desires or aims of its creator. Fantasy typically
involves situations which are impossible and can
also be of sexual nature. Philosophers assert that
fantasy is what leads to artistic creation.
Invention -
from Latin invenire "devise, discover,
find" - is a highly creative process that
depends on imagining ability and is comparable
to fantasy and creativity. Invention is aimed at
producing achievable and functional projects, excluding
however their esthetic aspect.
Invention can be summed-up by the quote of the Hungarian
physiologist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi: “... consists
of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what
nobody has thought”.
Creativity is
a mental and social process that matches together
fantasy with invention, involving the production
of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of
the creative mind between already existing ideas
or concepts. Creativity is fueled by the process
of either conscious or unconscious insight. Creativity
is aimed at producing achievable and functional
projects, including their esthetic aspect. Actually,
from a scientific point of view, the products of
creative thought should always reflect originality
and appropriateness.
Imagination -
from Latin imaginari "to form a mental
picture to oneself, imagine, represent" -,
also called the faculty of imagining, is the ability
of forming, casting or make visible mental images,
thoughts, sensations and concepts, in a moment
when they are not perceived through perceptive
senses. Imagination helps provide meaning to experience
and understanding to knowledge. "I have imagination,
not fantasy. Fantasy is not real. Imagination is
to be able to imagine forms in three dimensions" said
the architect Gaudí once. In fact, unlike
fantasy, imagination allows us to see things as
they really are. Imagination is a purely intellective
process.
Insight (or intuition)
is the unpredictable faculty to discern the true
nature of a situation without the use of rational
processes, but through a sudden and deep intuitive
understanding. It is sometimes described as ‘eureka
effect’, or called by the German term ‘Aha-Erlebnis’ (it
is also known under more specific terms such as ‘epiphany’ or ‘noesis’).
Insight/intuition is NOT an irrational process
or some magical property that arises unbidden from
the depths of our mind: it is a product of experiences
(of all kinds) and intelligent design. In fact,
the insight phenomenon often enough leads to unexpected
discoveries or sudden realization of the solution
to a problem.
Related
links:
- Mind
control?
- Visual memory
test.
- Antistress
tool.
- The
basic Law of Stupidity.
|
Come
contattarci | 
Comment
nous contacter
