Allen Esterson wrote: > Howard Gardner�s notion of > �multiple intelligences� is an abuse of the word �intelligence� � mostly > he is writing about talents and skills. And yet� Is there not a genuine > use of the word �intelligence� to describe the ability to accurately > interpret other people�s behaviour, and to respond to it �intelligently�.
It think that the developers of IQ tests were attempting (whether successful or not) to develop a technical form of the term that was narrower in scope than the form used in day-to-day life. Thus, the criticism that IQ tests do not capture *everything* "lay" people mean when they use the term "intelligent" is a little like criticizing physicists for not capturing everything in the quotidian use of the term "energy." > No doubt > there is a strong correlation with IQ as measured by intelligence tests, > but I suspect that some people with mediocre IQ are highly effective when > it comes to psychological insight into other people�s behaviour. If this > is the case, it is arguably a valid reason for having reservations about > the notion that IQ is a measure of �intelligence� as generally understood > in common speech. Again, I don't think that capturing all of what is called "intelligence" in common speech was the intent (nor a practical project even if intended). Ordinary language philosophy failed in no small part because common speech is full of inconsistencies that undermine any attempt a rigorous understanding. Now, if you are only saying that scientists who develop a technical vocabulary should, instead of adopting and refining common terms, invent new terms, that's your prerogative. Unfortunately if one does this, one runs the risk of no one knowing what they're talking about (even when the technical terms are closely allied to a perfectly ordinary common terms). Consider, for instance, the exotic names R. B. Cattell gave to his scales in the 16PF (and then consider the 16PF's current popularity compared to, say, the Neo-PI (which uses *apparently* common terms like "openness", "conscientiousness", "extraversion", "agreeableness", and "neuroticism"). Regards, -- Christopher D. Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] phone: 416-736-5115 ext. 66164 fax: 416-736-5814 http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
