Juan Luis Lorda. Curso de Antropología 5. La Inteligencia

Understanding Intelligence Through Phenomenology

The Nature of Intelligence

• The discussion begins with the importance of understanding intelligence not just through definitions but by examining phenomena, emphasizing a phenomenological approach.

• A classic scholastic saying highlights that powers are specified by their acts, suggesting that different types of actions reveal various capacities or faculties, including sensitivity and affectivity.

• When exploring intelligence, it is crucial to identify the specific types of acts associated with it rather than starting from preconceived notions.

Human Sensitivity vs. Animal Sensitivity

• Animals possess an evaluative ability (estimativa), allowing them to perceive dangers (e.g., recognizing a wolf's scent as threatening).

• In contrast, humans have a cognitive layer (cogitativa) that enables deeper analysis beyond mere perception; they can reflect on experiences and analyze situations.

The Role of Language in Understanding

• Humans utilize ideas and concepts represented through language to interpret experiences, indicating that language plays a significant role in our cognitive processes.

• This process involves not only recognizing strong scents but also engaging in thought processes about what those scents signify.

Concept Formation and Enrichment

• Humans develop concepts over time, often influenced by language; these concepts evolve through personal experience and social interaction.

• For instance, an 18-year-old may have a basic understanding of philosophy compared to someone with years of study who has enriched their conceptual framework.

Operations of Intelligence

• The first operation identified is "simple apprehension," where individuals form and comprehend notions based on their experiences.

• The second operation involves analyzing reality—making judgments about specific instances (e.g., identifying an odor as belonging to a dog).

Logical Reasoning and Propositions

• Humans can create abstract propositions based on concrete observations; for example, deducing general truths about dogs from specific encounters.

Understanding Intelligence and Reasoning

The Nature of Intelligence

• Intelligence is defined as the capacity to understand and manage concepts, enabling reasoning through various propositions.

• Classical syllogism exemplifies reasoning: if A is B and B is C, then A must be C (e.g., "Dogs are mammals; mammals are animals; therefore, dogs are animals").

• Scholastic philosophy identifies three classic acts of intelligence that contribute to our understanding of human cognition.

Unique Human Capabilities

• Humans possess a unique ability to adapt to new problems by extracting familiar patterns and applying them in novel situations.

• This adaptability reflects creativity, allowing individuals to recognize similarities across different contexts.

Perception and Intuition in Intelligence

• Intelligence encompasses not just logical reasoning but also the ability to perceive complex situations intuitively (e.g., recognizing danger from falling walls).

• Immediate awareness of others' emotions or actions can be seen as a form of intuitive knowledge linked to intelligence.

Types of Knowledge and Reasoning

• Various forms of knowledge contribute to intelligence, including spatial reasoning—imagining how objects fit together or change orientation.

• Mathematical intelligence involves geometric understanding, while musical intelligence represents another dimension of cognitive capability.

Intuitive Acts vs. Representational Processes

• Many intelligent acts are intuitive rather than representational; they occur without conscious deliberation (e.g., recognizing dogs as mammals).

• Classic acts include forming notions through abstraction, establishing judgments by relating concepts, and developing reasoned arguments.

Limitations in Imitating Human Intelligence

• A significant portion of intelligent acts are immediate intuitions that cannot easily be represented or imitated by computers.

Understanding the Limitations of Artificial Intelligence

The Nature of Computation vs. Intuition

• The speaker discusses how certain processes can be logically or mathematically represented, emphasizing that these are reproducible by computers using mathematical language.

• It is highlighted that intuitive acts of intelligence, such as understanding and managing concepts, cannot be replicated by computers, marking a significant limitation in artificial intelligence.

• The speaker contrasts reasoning—which can be expressed in logical terms and thus handled by machines—with intuitive understanding, which remains outside the capabilities of current AI technology.

Key Insights on Knowledge and Understanding

• A distinction is made between knowledge gained through reasoning (which can be processed by machines) and knowledge derived from intuition (which cannot), underscoring the complexity of human cognition.