Albert Einstein was one of the greatest thinkers the world has ever known. He formulated theories of relativity, successfully described the nature of the universe and came up with the most famous equation in the world. David Beckham is the footballer whose skills and precision have made him one of the most gifted sportsmen of his generation. Who is more intelligent?
How Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences （MI） dares us to put these two men on neighboring pedestals. Instead of regarding intelligence as a single quantity measurable by pen-and-paper tests, Gardner, an education professor at Harvard University, divides human intelligence into no fewer than eight separate categories ranging from mathematical to musical competence. （4） His ideas have provoked vigorous debate about how one defines intelligence. Gardner’s point is that quantity measures only one capacity, the sort of mental agility that is valued in academic achievement, and that this single number does not do justice to human potential. So he has created his own spheres of achievement. Some categories are easily reconcilable with general perceptions about IQ. For example, “linguistic” intelligence confers a mastery of language, and is the preserve of such people as poets, writers and linguists. “Logical mathematical” intelligence marks out people who take a reasoning approach to physical things, and seek underlying principles. Einstein is the standard-bearer of this group, which also includes philosophers. These two categories are the main components of what we generally think of as “intelligence”.
“Musical” intelligence characterizes musicians, composers and conductors. “Spatial” intelligence is about being able to picture perspective, to visualize a world in one’s head with great accuracy. Chess players, artists and architects would rate highly in this category. Dancers, athletes and actors are lumped under the “bodily-kinesthetic” heading; these individuals, like Beckham, are able to control their bodies and movements very carefully.
Then come two types of “personal” intelligence—intrapersonal, the ability to gauge one’s own mood, feelings and mental states, and interpersonal, being able to gauge it in others and use the information. These two categories could be interpreted as emotional intelligence. Psychiatrists are particularly adept at the former, while religious leaders and politicians are seen as people who can exploit the latter.
Charles Darwin is perhaps the perfect embodiment of the eighth intelligence — “naturalist”. This label describes people with a deep understanding of the natural world and its objects. Zoologists and botanists can count themselves among this group.
（5） These eight categories certainly reflect the fact that, in these areas, there is a spectrum of human ability ranging from the hopeless to the brilliant. But are these really intelligences, or could these competences be more accurately described as gifts or talents?
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