What is intelligence?

In this&nbsp;thread, XmagickaX&nbsp;states that "Right...this is called <I>adaptation </I>and can be seen in most animals. But even as you pointed out, they forget quickly, so they have not actually LEARNED anything!"&nbsp;

Which causes me to ask is intelligence related to long-term memory retention? Am I&nbsp;intelligent because I can remember what I learn (most of the time), or am I intelligent because I can learn? Or am I intelligent for another reason?

XmagickaX&nbsp;also states "I hope you didn't seriously mean that. Dolphins cannot create buildings, design cars etc...what gives man this intelligence but not animals?"

My only response is for XmagickaX to read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Good question. How do we know WE are intelligent?

What is intelligence?

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-Sky-

Moving to Iceland in 2003

What a distressing contrast there is between the radiant intelligence of the child and the feeble mentality of the average adult.

Sigmund Freud

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O'siyo Oginalii Tsilugi !!! I will draw thorns from your feet. We will walk the White Path of Life together. Like a brother of my own blood, I will love you. I will wipe tears from your eyes. When you are sad, I will put your aching heart to rest. May you walk in peace and harmony

What makes you think you're intelligent?

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If you lived here you'd be home by now.

I am assuming, npetreley, you mean that philosophically, rather than insultorally

And that is how i will answer that question... Which is important because it requires a definition of what intelligence is.
I think there can be many levels/degrees/facets of intelligence, for instance; I think the ability to learn is very important, as is understanding cause and effect. Although one does not have to realize what the abstract term "cause and effect" mean, but only to be aware, like a dog, that if it chews up its master's shoe, it will get a swat.

I also think that that higher forms of intelligence require self-awareness, the ability to think abstractly (in mature and healthy specimens of a species).

There are many more attributes that I attach to intelligence, and I think I fit the bill for all of them, to one degree or another. But is intelligence related to memory?

And right back at ya, why do you think you are intelligent?

If I were intelligent, I wouldn't be wasting my time here.

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If you lived here you'd be home by now.

Smilin,

that is an interesting take on intelligence... Can you explain Freud's position?

Um....42!

Oh sorry wrong question...I think intelligence is the ability to learn and to pass knowledge on (teach I guess), so language or communication is important.

Dolphins have an incredibly rich language and social structure...if they had opposable thumbs I think they'd kick out behinds

LadyShea, I think you might get a kick out of this site:
http://www.theonion.com/onion3630/do...ve_thumbs.html

*Language warning*

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"We’ve been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of the culture," Pastor Ray Mummert speaking out against teaching evolution in Pennsylvania schools
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What is&nbsp;intelligence.&nbsp; Inferior to wisdom.