A Ninth Intelligence?

Is there such a thing as existential, spiritual, moral Intelligence? Harvard Professor of Cognition and Education, Howard Gardner, says it is worth considering. He defines it as “the ability to be sensitive to, or have the capacity for conceptualizing or tackling deeper or larger questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why are we born, why do we die, what is consciousness, or how did we get here.”

It was in 1983 that Gardner coined the concept of Multiple Intelligence in his book Frames of Mind. He wrote of intelligence as “biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture,” —a mouthful, for sure. 

Gardener identified eight intelligences: logical-mathematical, linguistic, musical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. For example, logical-mathematical intelligence is applied to individuals who are sensitive to logical or numerical patterns and can handle long chains of reasoning. Their ideal career is as scientist, mathematician, computer analyst, or accountant. Linguistic intelligence may lead to being a lawyer, author, speaker, curator, or journalist. Gardener suggests human beings possess all eight of these intelligences to varying degrees of proficiency, and that they are capable of being observed and measured.

His theory had a profound impact on education. It inspired teachers to explore new ways of teaching aimed at the different intelligences, though linguistic and logical-mathematical remained the most valued in school and society. But, it’s wise to consider a variety of mental strengths individuals possess for everyone doesn’t  fit into those two categories. 

Cognitive psychologists who criticize his theory say the idea  of a single general intelligence is supported by years of giving intelligence tests. Gardner doesn’t dispute their claims but insists overall intelligence is but one measurement equal in weight to the other intelligences. n other words, some people are generalists while others are not, but a multiple intelligence framework is a fairer test of ability than IQ tests measuring one aptitude.

In 2011, Gardner wrote of other possible categories, among them, spirituality, existential, and moral intelligence. Typically the purview of religious leaders like the Dali Lama, these intelligences ponder questions of human existence. They are wondering, cosmic, and metaphysical smart people who question who we are and what our purpose is. 

Though Gardner didn’t add these intelligences to his original eight, he made an interesting observation recently. There was a sudden uptick in the number of inquiries he received about existential intelligence and he wondered why? He writes that the trend started in 2016 when Donald Trump raised worries about the threats to democracy, decency, and other values people hold dear and that spiritual concerns escalated in a world unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic.

When long-term plans had to be scuttled and daily routines altered with no end in sight, it sent people into crisis mode. They began asking the big questions, the kind they pondered as children, confronting issues around life and death. Some wondered if contracting COVID was a message sent from heaven.

I too ask questions about the meaning of life but conclude there is no hidden message or reward from having COVID. Like in Camus’ book The Plague, pandemics come and go without reason. The only choice we have is to make meaning out of the time we spend on earth. What type of person do you want to be? How do you want to act towards living things that inhabit the earth with you? With compassion and decency or hatred, destruction, and rudeness? 

These are questions that matter a great deal to me. They guide how I use various intelligence strengths to mold me into the person I want to be.

I look forward to reading your comments below.

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Would you like to take a Multiple intelligence test? go to https://www.idrlabs.com/multiple-intelligences/test.php. IDRlams.com conducts individual differences research around the world. The test is in the middle of the page. It asks you to rate 45 preferences and scores where you stand with each intelligence.

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References:

Cherry, K. (2020) Howard Gardner Biography and Theories. Verywell Mind. retrieved https://www.verywellmind.com/howard-gardner-biography-2795511

Marenus,M. (2020) Gardner’s theory of Mutiplue Intelligences. SimplyPsychology. retrieved from A Ninth Intelligence?https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html

Clarken. R. (2012) Howard Gardener on Spiritual, Existential, and Moral Intelligence. the Clarken Chronicles.retrieved from https://rodclarken.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/gardener-on-spiritual-existential-and-moral-intelligence/ 

Gardner, H. (2020) A Resurgence of Interest in Existential Intelligence: Why Now?

Howard Gardner. https://www.howardgardner.com/howards-blog/a-resurgence-of-interest-in-existential-intelligence-why-now