Where does intelligence come from?

Question

I believe all of us can be smart from determination and hard work, but there are exceptions.

Can it be based on your parents, if they are smart they have smart offspring?

Could it all be in the genes, either you have it or you don't.

Autism shows that something is in our minds that the average person can't grasp.

Prodigies for whatever reason can do things by five that most of of us can never master in a life time.

Two people that fascinate me very much is the Dalai Lama and Mozart because both of them were born intelligent.

I'm just looking for your own thoughts about this. Thanks

Something else, how come there isn't a section in here based on the mind itself. Thats the source of everything here isn't it?

Answer 1

I believe intelligence has many sources and can be enhanced or hindered depending on those sources. Some is genetic and how intelligent your parents are. Some are environmental, as in the time that parents spend nuturing their children in their development.

Things that can also help or hinder intelligence include sleep, nutrition, availability of resources such as books and libraries and opportunities for mental stimulation like strategy games or artistic activities. Avoidance of chemical substances can help. Class can also play a part, as those in lower classes lack the resources and opportunities that can boost or encourage mental development that higher classes can access with greater ease.

Social conditioning can play a part. Are children encouraged to play and create or are they put in front of a television to spend their free time? What does society value? Looks or intelligence?

Very good question. I think science and society are still trying to figure that out.

But I think the real question is how to define intelligence. When you answer that, you'll get closer to a more satisfying answer./

Answer 2

We must understand the definition of intelligence. Basically you look at both of the definitions from the link below, you'll see some similarities. They both mention some ability to use their resources and adapt to the problems caused by their environment. Now can this be genetic or learned? It can be both, but I'm leaning towards more of your ability to adapt and learn from your mistakes. The reason is that you can have people of multiple intelligence levels and they will adapt and thrive differently in a controlled environment. But couldn't genetics influence how you remember and adapt? Sure could, but what good are genetics if you make the same mistake on purpose,on a consistent basis, and your ability to survive depends on that. I'm not trying to imply that intelligence doesn't have some genetic backing, but probably more influential is the ability to learn from mistakes and move forward, not backwards

Answer 3

Intelligence can come from genetics. It is just a matter how that particular person develops it through continuous hard-work and thinking. Environment (friends, parents, perception of self) can also contribute/alter the intelligence of a person.

However, there are obsviously some people learning a bit slower than others (deficiencies, diseases, attention disorders). But for most people, it's how we develop our minds that affect the most.

Answer 4

Dalai Lama is one of the dumbest person on the earth. He is a nice person but not intelligent. I don't know Mozart to comment. From this example It looks like what you considered intelligent is different from what I considered intelligent. SO in the final analysis it looks like every one is intelligent and some understand some ones intelligent and do not understand others. But then some others are their to understand the rest. That mean a new theory is

every ones intelligence is understood by some one in the universe.

Answer 5

I think that it is both environment and genetics. They think it has something to do with all the synapic connections you make in as a baby/toddler combined with education and how fast your brain can process information. Obviously, good nutrition and stuff plays a big part also.

Answer 6

i think there is no such things as being born smart, its just a matter of how how hard-working you are.

Its all about deligence, unless you are medically proven mentally challenged, everybody is the smae.

Answer 7

environment ( motivation , opportunity , hard work ) , genetics and food

Answer 8

from pure ignorance

Answer 9

it depens on your family DNA.