| It may not be that intelligence is a measurable quality. | | | | function, and to understand consequences is the |
| We establish IQ scores, true, but these scores are not | | | | essence of intelligence. |
| set in stone. Our brain is like any other muscle, if it is | | | | This is why a game like chess can increase your IQ |
| exercised, it grows stronger and more agile. Therefore, | | | | level. Chess, along with other puzzle exercises, helps |
| it may not even be accurate to assume that one | | | | you understand the relationships of the variables |
| person is necessarily smarter than another. With | | | | around you and how they work together or work |
| proper mental exercise and training, you could surpass | | | | against each other. This will give you the ability to |
| someone supposedly smarter than you. | | | | foresee possibilities and to take appropriate action. |
| Chess, for example, has been established to raise a | | | | Wisdom, however, is the most essential aspect of our |
| person's IQ level. The exercise of the brain in such | | | | mental facilities. It is taking the knowledge and |
| intensity is bound to create a more intelligent person. | | | | understanding (intelligence) that you possess and |
| But then, did this person get smarter, or did he merely | | | | making right decisions that effect and affect the |
| unlock intelligence he already possessed? | | | | people and circumstances around us. |
| Another common mistake is confusing knowledge for | | | | Take a guy who understands all of the dynamics, |
| intelligence. The more you know, the more people | | | | physics, and mechanics of an umbrella. Yet if he |
| assume you're smart. This is not necessarily true. We | | | | doesn't have the wisdom to open it during a rain storm, |
| all know of people who did poorly in school who went | | | | his knowledge and intelligence is wasted. The ultimate |
| on to achieve great things intellectually. Knowledge is | | | | goal of your knowledge and intelligence is to make |
| important, no doubt, but it is not necessarily an indication | | | | wise decisions in life that will better your marriage, child |
| of intelligence. A good memory can go a long way to | | | | rearing, and relationships. |
| mask weak intelligence. | | | | I'm a Christian. As such, when I read the Bible, I see |
| And possessing intelligence is not the most important | | | | that wisdom is the principle thing (Proverbs 4:7). But |
| mental skill to possess. There are three mental facets | | | | along with that wisdom, you must have understanding. |
| that everyone needs to consider. Intelligence is merely | | | | Without understanding, you can't have wisdom. Without |
| one of them. A list of important mental qualities would | | | | knowledge, you won't provide your intelligence with the |
| be this: | | | | tools to work with. |
| | | | So yes, you can increase your intelligence in this |
| 1. Knowledge | | | | fashion. In fact, you can continue to increase it for the |
| 2. Understanding (intelligence) | | | | rest of your life. |
| 3. WisdomIgnorance is the absence of knowledge. It is | | | | There are two factors that help a person to become |
| impossible to be smart about something that you know | | | | smarter: |
| nothing about. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts, | | | | |
| truths, and information. All mental acuity starts right | | | | 1. Gain more knowledge. |
| here. The more you know, the more your brain has to | | | | 2. Participate in exercises that build understanding of |
| work with. Intelligent people do know a lot. This doesn't | | | | the relationships between facts, people, and |
| make them smarter. It provides their intelligence with | | | | information.Do these two things and you'll become |
| tools to work with which allows the use of their | | | | smarter. Hopefully, that intelligence will then |
| intelligence. | | | | demonstrate itself in wisdom. |
| So in that respect, people who do know more seem | | | | Allow me to give you a Biblical example. The Bible |
| to be more intelligent. This is because they have given | | | | says in Proverbs 22:3 - A prudent man foreseeth the |
| their mind tools and information to work with. | | | | evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are |
| I prefer the concept of 'understanding' to that of | | | | punished. |
| 'intelligence'. The idea of understanding is a more | | | | Because this man has knowledge and understanding |
| accurate picture of what intelligence is. To define | | | | of how something works, he can predict the coming |
| intelligence, therefore, it would be the ability to | | | | evil. He then can make a wise decision to avoid that |
| understand the relationships between facts, truths, and | | | | evil. But the simple-the ones who lack both knowledge |
| information. The ability to piece together associations | | | | and understanding-continue blissfully on and get hurt. |
| and interactions of things, to gain insight into a particular | | | | This doesn't have to be you. |