Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
Identifying Intelligence
It is not good enough to have a good mind. The main thing
is to use it well
Descartes,
Discourse on Method (1637)
3.1
Introduction
Formally identifying intelligence would seem like a gross simplification of what has
always seemed a complex and slightly mysterious process. What we have done is
created a starting point for our investigation by proposing a concrete description we
can then try to use. We will expect that this initial description to be inadequate in
explaining many aspects of our experience of intelligence, but it will give us a starting
point to grow something better as in the following story. The 'concrete description'
is the 'stone' in the soup.
3.1.1
Stone Soup: A Folk Story
Once upon a time, somewhere in Eastern Europe, there was a great famine. People
jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends
and neighbours. One day a peddler drove his wagon into a village, sold a few of his
wares, and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
“There's not a bite to eat in the whole province,” he was told. “Better keep moving on.”
“Oh, I have everything I need,” he said.
In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you.
He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under
it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag
and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumour of food, most of the villagers had come to the square
or watched from their windows. As the peddler sniffed the 'broth' and licked his lips
in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their scepticism.
