Quote Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus View Post
I know, but I loathe those sorts of arguments, even if they have some truth. Every person dissatisfied/comforting-a-dissatisfied-person with their/their-friend's IQ test says that (not that I accuse Centurion1 of doing such thing of course). Too many times I have heard parents/some kids say things disturbingly similar to what is satirised here in this notable blog.
Sure, I just got the impression you were lumping cent in there with them, always a hazard when you have a negative association with a certain argument. My bad.

It bugs me too, especially that guy with his "multiple intelligences" theory. Egalitarianism run amock, we love it so much we don't mind if we are being irrational (myself included).

Look, for the third time (or is it the fourth?), standard IQ tests measure abstract reasoning. In that, they excel. Whether you choose to say that abstract reasoning is what intelligence is about - well, that is your choice. Think whatever you wish.
Tch, this is the backroom. We don't get to think whatever we wish, it must be argued.

I think abstract reasoning is very important, but that high IQ people are just as prone to cognitive biases. To actually be smart you need a high IQ, you need to put effort into your thinking, you need education, and you need the willingness to reconsider your own position and realize that you were wrong. Even then, if it's something you are passionate about you will probably not come to a very rational conclusion, if an abrasive and rude person is involved you are less likely to admit the shortcomings of your thinking, and if you don't have the right information your efforts can be futile.

Saying that IQ is to intelligence as height is to basketball ability hits pretty close to the mark I think.