Come on, do it. My personal definition of intelligence is basically measurable comprehension, and ability to "pick up" on or "see" things that the sometimes the eyes can't see. Also, the ability to show how knowledgable he/she is, and can admit when person ISN'T knowledgable about something.
What is YOUR own personal definition of intelligence, as it relates to another person? I constantly hear people say "My man/woman has to be intelligent/smart, etc." Well, when I ask them their definition of intelligence, they say "he/she has to have a college degree, ability to hold a conversation, up on his politics, etc...". Hell, Forrest Gump had 2 out of these 3. Of course he was a fictional movie character, but I'm pretty confident that there are people out there with his intelligence level who holds a degree and can hold a decent conversation.
Funny thing is, NONE of these examples can actually measure a persons ability to use reason, apply knowledge, nor totally represents a sharp mind.
Here's what Merriam-Webster Online has to say about it:
Main Entry: in·tel·li·gence
Pronunciation: in-'te-l&-j&n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin intelligentia, from intelligent-, intelligens intelligent
1 a (1) : the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations : REASON; also : the skilled use of reason (2) : the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests) b Christian Science : the basic eternal quality of divine Mind c : mental acuteness : SHREWDNESS
2 a : an intelligent entity; especially : ANGEL b : intelligent minds or mind
3 : the act of understanding : COMPREHENSION
4 a : INFORMATION, NEWS b : information concerning an enemy or possible enemy or an area; also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information
5 : the ability to perform computer functions
according to my psych teacher, intelligence can not be defined or measured because no one REALLY knows what intelligence is. On exams like the SAT or the IQ test, it is not intelligence that is being measured but your ability to answer the questions in the form expected - to retain & give back the information given to you in the exact same way.
