The other day, I was reviewing Howard Gardner's theory on Multiple Intelligences. I've always been intrigued by it all, but have also been critical of it. You see, when academics start categorizing stuff and defining things, they often forget components, perhaps they never thought of. Whenever someone comes up with something else, they try to then force it into another category, usually where it doesn't belong, but if they do it anyway as to save face or not have to re-write their signature piece of research.
Now then, I see a new type of intelligence, which I believe cannot just be stuck into Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory. Let me enlighten you along with Howard if I might.
Now then, perhaps you've heard of all the research we've done with Chimpanzees where they are hooked to apparatuses and able to think about moving something perhaps a prosthesis or something on a computer screen. Well, now we have such things for humans to help them overcome brain injury or allowing them to control wireless systems to move a prosthesis where the nerve endings do not exist. The ability to do this, based on how these systems work requires a new type of use of the brain, a new type of intelligence if you will, one which Howard Gardner had not conceived and does not fit into his model.
Okay so, someone who studies physiology, psychology, and neurology might attempt to place this new type of intelligence into the "Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence" category, but I am not buying it, and that line of reasoning does not meet Gardner's definition. Thus, either he must add to definition and re-write his theory, or add a category. If he adds a new category which I do believe this new type of brain function and intelligence deserves, then he's proven my comments correct above about how academics so often attempt to place absolutes into their list of criteria, categories, and definitions. If one attempts to force this new intelligence into an old category, then still they prove my comments correct because they are forcing continued adoption of a linear and limited number and types of intelligences.
How many more intelligences in the human organic brain capable of as we reach into transhumanism in the future? And know I don't have a perfectly defined theory to address that, although lots of ideas on the concept, you see I just don't want to fall into the same trap. Further, I see the multiple intelligences paradigm as far too limited for the future of mankind and far too small for an organic mind organ which is so vastly superior in performance considering its small energy needs. Please consider all this and think on it.
