Discuss epistemology and its relevance to intelligence analysis. Select at least two principal “ways of knowing,” and describe their respective characteristics/attributes, strengths, weaknesses, and potential for improving the quality of intelligence analysis.
Merriam-Webster defines epistemology as “the study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge.” As applied to intelligence, the application of epistemology becomes highly important when analysts are making judgements while assessing information that is not fully factual. Analysts work with information that can be ambiguous, deceptive, conflicting, and even absent; yet, they are required to produce intelligence products that are reliable enough for policymakers to act upon and make decisions. In these situations, the analyst must make good use of epistemology to ensure that the intelligence judgements are reliable. Regarding intelligence analysis, there are four epistemologies, or “ways of knowing”, that are used: authority, habit of thought, rationalism, and empiricism. Science is a fifth epistemology that combines attributes of rationalism and empiricism. An analyst must know which epistemology he or she used to understand the errors that may be made and the self-correcting mechanisms needed to improve reliability. Authoritative epistemology occurs when an analyst relies on another person’s authority to make a judgement. Their “basis of knowledge resides in a reference to something more
Intelligence as defined by the Cambridge dictionary is the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason.1 There is much debate and controversy on this subject and psychologists do not all agree upon a standard definition. Yet, one of the very first definitions of intelligence was developed by the psychologists responsible for the development of the first intelligence test, Binet and Simon (1905) who argued that the essence of intelligence is: ‘to judge well, to comprehend well, to reason well’.2 Another sample definition was provided later by Heim, in 1970, who argued that ‘intelligent activity consists in grasping the essentials in a situation and responding appropriately to them’.3 There are also arguments surrounding how many different types of intelligence there are, as well as the intelligence theories of psychology. However elusive, we can ascertain that all psychologists have universally agreed upon general intelligence (g), an expression devised by the English psychologist Charles Spearman and defined as ‘a mental attribute called on for virtually any task’.4 This essay will inform the reader of the different methods proposed and used by psychologists to assess ability and discuss their evaluations.
Ever since Spearman proposed the intelligence theory with G factor, there were several other intelligence theories proposed in response or as an alternative to Spearman’s. Among those, Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory would be the most influential ones as they are widely accepted and used in real life. Both of the theories share a critical view towards the unitary perspective which is the traditional definition of intelligence. However, the two theories differ in which they don’t agree with what factors should be the measures of intelligence, as well as the emphasis of the two theories.
In the sixth century B.C., Homer alludes to a separation of knowledge between the mortals and the gods. He speaks of both gods and human beings as “knowing things”- creatures of knowledge. However, there is a “great difference in the quality and the scope of the knowledge available to the two groups” (Everson, Pg.12). For the mortal human being the contrast between “divine and human knowledge”, paired with possible deception by the gods, has led him to question the idea of knowledge as it exists independently, reminding him that there are many things he cannot “know for certain” (Everson, Pg. 13).
Bibliography Brainmetrix.com. “Intelligence definition.” Brain Metrix. 2007. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. Breyer, Melissa, and 25 p. Which of the 8 kinds of intelligence do you have? MNN - Mother Nature Network, 13 Jan. 2016. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. Gariépy, Jean-François. What is intelligence ? 31 Dec. 2012. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. “Human intelligence | psychology.” Encyclopædia Britannica. N.p.: Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 May 2015. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. Inc, Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster’s School Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster,U.S., 9 Apr. 2015. Print. Kaufman, Scott Barry. What do IQ tests test? Interview with psychologist W. Joel Schneider. Scientific American Blog Network, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016. Mann, Denise. “Does IQ test really measure intelligence?” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016. McLennan community college university. “What is intelligence.ppt.” Mccu.org. n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. Miller, Max, et al. What is intelligence? Big Think, 2 Sept. 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. Muehlhauser, Luke. “What is intelligence? - machine intelligence research institute.” Analysis. Machine Intelligence Research Institute, 19 June 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. “The Difference Between Intelligence and Common Sense.” Quora. 20 Jan. 2015. Web. 20 Jan. 2016. “The Three types of intelligence you need for success.” Psychology Today, 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2016. Citations, Quotes & Annotations Brainmetrix.com. “Intelligence definition.” Brain Metrix. 2007. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. (Brainmetrix.com) "While
The approach of this study will take the epistemological position and a qualitative research design. Humphries (2008) asserts that qualitative research focusses on the subjective and recognises that the researcher will affect the data that is produced and therefore the outcome of the research. Denzin & Lincoln (2005:3) state that “Qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings attempting to make sense of, or to interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them”. Quantitative research on the other hand, claims to be objective, removing the researcher’s views and values from the study. While traditionally quantitative data has been deemed to produce more reliable or valid data, it does not suffice to capture the complexities of the human experience as it assumes a positivist epistemology.
Epistemology is the arm of philosophy concerned with the study of knowledge and beliefs. The study first explains the understanding of what constitute knowledge and how to distinguish when someone does something and when one does nothing. Additionally, it examines the extent of use of human knowledge and how one can use reason, senses, past work and resources to acquire specific knowledge. Epistemology seeks to know whether there are limits to acquisition and use of knowledge. It provides answers to the question of the necessary and sufficient conditions that make up knowledge and their sources. The study also examines the limits and structure of knowledge in understanding justifications and whether justifications are internal or external
The viewpoint I have always pride myself in having is seeing the true intelligence in people. In my mind, I do not measure a person’s intelligence based on the information they are “suppose” to know or on the grades they receive or even how they behave.
Overall, Gardner came up with nine types of intelligences. However, this essay will only cover three of them: verbal/linguistic, body-kinesthetic, and logical/mathematical. This essay will also cover several examples of each type of intelligence. Gardner also had some critics criticizing his research which will also be included throughout the essay.
Intelligence is a hard concept to define. The Oxford dictionary defined intelligence as “the ability to acquire knowledge and skills”. This loosely defined topic has caused great debate in psychological studies. People argue whether intelligence is measured as one general ability or a variety of abilities including aptitudes, skills, and talents. Others may debate over whether a single topic of intelligence actually exists. As a result of this controversy, researchers have proposed definitions of their own called theories. This has created a variety of ___ theories to be evaluated.
DR Peter Geerlings in his lecture (Geerlings 2017, 2) states “By developing an understanding of different views of intelligence, you can apply this knowledge to revitalize your own learning strategies and make the most of your learning experiences”. A key point talked about very early on in the lecture is the idea that intelligence is not something that can be necessarily measured but more of a broader term to define how people consume knowledge and apply it to their everyday life. Geerlings uses a range of different sources such as a text called “Nine different views of intelligence” (Cottrell 2008, 16-22) and a range of different videos regarding his initial statement. Using these as supportive evidence Geerlings
Carol S. Dweck uses intelligence as a form of measurement that measures how heavy of a workload someone can receive and understand, and how it can be expanded through effort. In an essay that was
According to the Sternberg’s “Triarchic theory of intelligence” (1985), there are three facets of intelligence, namely analytical (componential), creative (experiential), and practical (contextual). Analytical intelligence refers to the ability to analyze, appraise, judge, or compare. It involves in resolving problems or making judgments that are abstract in nature.
The theory of multiple intelligences was discovered by Howard Gardner as a model of intelligence that sets apart intelligence into varied modalities, rather than seeing it as subjugated by a single general ability. Intelligence is defined
Epistemology, or the study of knowledge, requires the scholar analyze the what, how, and why’s of their own knowledge. Asking these questions of themselves is essentially applying that which they have learned. There are different origins of knowledge as conceptualized by philosophers, educators, and scientists. Early philosophers defined knowledge as “justified true belief” (Cooper, pg. 23). In order for an individual to know something it must be true, he or she must believe it, and the belief in it must be justified or rationally reasonable. Later, early modern philosophers required knowledge to be proven and absolute. The scientific
When a person utters the word “intelligence,” people tend to think of a genius like Albert Einstein developing some obscure equation that the great majority of the population will never understand. The problem with the definition of intelligence is that people relate intelligence to words like “genius” which require intelligence but do not have the same definition as intelligence. Often, people try to use related words to define intelligence, but these words are unable to define intelligence since many are only different levels of intelligence. While many definitions try to encompass the meaning of intelligence and various definitions describe a small part of intelligence, no definition completely explains intelligence, because