Is the increase in human intelligence but a myth?

Contemplating Aristotle

When one scans the newspapers and internet of late, there is much talk of the "increase in intelligence", particularly amongst those who are of a younger generation. But is this a nonsense - an illusion? Considering that it has been explained by Biologists and other scientists that the human brain, our very being, has remained unaltered for the space of tens of thousands of years.

Are we been fair to those before us, are we arrogant to claim that we are really more intelligent than they were? Is it ridiculous to claim the younger generation is more intelligent? Most importantly, could the purported and so-called increase in intelligence be nothing more than widespread availability of information in today’s global village having an effect, and that we the generations now are utilising our brain - that very same organ in which our ancestors conceived and lived by - in a way that older generations, back tens of thousands of years never got the opportunity to do?

Likewise, could it not be argued that the hunter gatherer, and indeed the primitive farmer of thousands of years ago had an acquired intelligence that many, if not most today never utilise - but are more than capable of doing? Most people now only know how to purchase food in the shop, were society to break down, it would be the hunter gatherer, and not the modern human who would be the more intelligent specimen, in retrospect? Yes, or no?

wylo

I think the problem is , that young people are more intelligent but only in certain types of intelligence.
Its just too generic a term to say its correct or incorrect. People from 1000s of years ago may have amassed great amounts of knowledge in terms of survival in their local terrain. This would mean if you were landed in their situation, they would probably be 'more intelligent' it would seem that way.

But I think when it comes to intelligence as we know it today, we are probably more intelligent in terms of figuring out puzzles, abstract reasoning, or anything 'game' related if you get me.

It really depends on what intelligence you are talking about. I am terrible at IQ tests that relate to words etc, verbal comprehension. I really am, I cant spot whats obvious to another friend of mine whos good at them. However hes terrible at what im good at, which is spatial reasoning and mechanical comprehension . That doesnt mean hes more intelligent than me or vice versa.

You could be useless at all that , and be an absolutely amazing musician. Is the musician more intelligent?

Its just too generic a term imo.

legendary.xix

I believe it is a myth. People have an aptitude though, there can't be doubt on that. Someone was on the radio recently saying he does not believe in born genius' or anything like that. He believes hard work and only hard work alone gets people anywhere.

18AD

Disagree. I think some people are in fact naturally or nurturaly more intelligent than most people. This is rare however. Most do just work their asses off. It doesn't sound as romantic when you hear that people worked and aren't just geniuses.

The intelligence is somewhat true. I mean you can go to a library/online and find hundreds of years of experiential/experimental research quite easily. If anything we are not more intelligent, but have a much greater, easily accessible, knowledge base. I don't think anything drastic has happened to our brains in that we are now physically capable of higher intelligence. It is purely a point on available information.

wylo

legendary.xix wrote: »

I believe it is a myth. People have an aptitude though, there can't be doubt on that. Someone was on the radio recently saying he does not believe in born genius' or anything like that. He believes hard work and only hard work alone gets people anywhere.

I disagree, some of these kids have capabilities far beyond any of us in terms of intelligence, but im sure there were kids like that 1000s of years ago too.

Black Swan

MOD COMMENT...
This appears to be more of a discussion on intelligence rather than philosophy, perhaps better addressed by cognitive psychology? Moving to Psychology forum.


MOD EDIT: Have re-opened the thread iin case anyone wants to contribute. Keep it psychological! JC