Do you guys think intelligence level is based more on genetics or on environment? This question pops into my head from time to time but I haven't fully figured it out yet
Sorrryyyy for trying to create some discussion lol :embarassed:
...seriously though when you talk to some little kids and compare their intelligence to their peers, it really makes you wonder how much of it is genetic and how much of it is affected by their home and school environment.
I believe that the vast majority of indicators people use in day-to-day life to gauge intelligence is inherited. I believe that the discipline to use what you have is mostly taught. I believe the opportunity to fulfill your potential is much more dependent on the circumstances of your birth than people will generally admit to.
In contrast, intelligence itself is only mildly important.
I'll try and keep this short and sweet, because I know how people tend to react to newbies who have too much to say.
Intelligence is by large, inherited. Of course, having said that, I'd think one would need to first define intelligence. If one goes about it from a social standpoint, humans are no more than genes (good or bad) bundled with habits (good and bad). Since there is no solid definition of 'intelligence' provided, I'm going with a canned definition.
The American Heritage® Dictionary
*Intelligence*:
Noun 1. a. The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge. b. The faculty of thought and reason. c. Superior powers of mind.
Since there is no proven scientific methods to acquire habits to increase the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge (which doesn't necessarily mean it is not possible), then intelligence must be, at least by large, inherited genetics.
It would depend on what kind of intelligence you are talking about.
Emotional intelligence. Academic intelligence. Practical intelligence. Intelligence itself is too general to consider whether it is nature or nurture.
And to be honest, everything about a person is never down to either nature or nurture. It's always an interesting mix of the two. Even someone's physical appearance.
And it is difficult to argue that something is "naturally" that way, because everything changes. From the moment that something is created, it is and will b altered from its "natural" state which it began with. Take allergies for example--there are always cases of people acquiring allergies or over coming allergies. Why do some people's eyes or hair change colour with more sun? Nothing is ever JUST nature. And nothing is ever JUST nurture.
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Then again, I think more environmental than genetic. I have some anecdotal proof on that lol, but that's all.
...seriously though when you talk to some little kids and compare their intelligence to their peers, it really makes you wonder how much of it is genetic and how much of it is affected by their home and school environment.
In contrast, intelligence itself is only mildly important.
edit: spelling
Intelligence is by large, inherited.
Of course, having said that, I'd think one would need to first define intelligence.
If one goes about it from a social standpoint, humans are no more than genes (good or bad) bundled with habits (good and bad).
Since there is no solid definition of 'intelligence' provided, I'm going with a canned definition. Since there is no proven scientific methods to acquire habits to increase the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge (which doesn't necessarily mean it is not possible), then intelligence must be, at least by large, inherited genetics.
-vH
Emotional intelligence. Academic intelligence. Practical intelligence. Intelligence itself is too general to consider whether it is nature or nurture.
And to be honest, everything about a person is never down to either nature or nurture. It's always an interesting mix of the two. Even someone's physical appearance.
And it is difficult to argue that something is "naturally" that way, because everything changes. From the moment that something is created, it is and will b altered from its "natural" state which it began with. Take allergies for example--there are always cases of people acquiring allergies or over coming allergies. Why do some people's eyes or hair change colour with more sun? Nothing is ever JUST nature. And nothing is ever JUST nurture.
I've posted on the topic extensively, so I'll say just this: it's mostly inherited.