The branch of knowledge which
discusses Human Intelligence is called Psychology. In Psychology, the definition
of Intelligence is present and formula of its assessment is available. But
factors/causes which determine different levels of Human Intelligence are hardly
discussed. I have keenly studied several books of Psychology in English and Urdu
but have not found sizable mention about such factors in any book. It is rather
matter of astonishment for me that such an important subject is not given due
importance. Hence, keeping in view the importance of these factors I have
included and illustrated them in my book. But the thing worth telling is that
what I have written in this respect is my own research and effort. Therefore,
there are many possibilities to add, amend and improve the subject.
Of course, it is a difficult, complicated and time-consuming job to understand
and collect the factors and causes which produce different levels in human
intelligence, but it is more difficult to put them into black and white.
As already described, neurologists have succeeded in discovering different parts
of brain and their functions through medical check ups, operations, modern
equipments and machines to a particular extent so far: however they have not
been able to understand completely as how intelligence comes into existence or
is produced (as the case may be) in the brain: how its level gains low or high
stage: what are the differences in the structure of the brain which make one
person a foolish, second person an average intelligent and third person a
genius.
An important and basic law of the nature is that no incident takes place and
nothing is made without causes and reasons and that every incident and thing so
made shall produce its effects and results. This law is called “Law of Cause and
Effect”. The Creator of the universe has made several factors and causes in
order to produce differences in the intellectual levels of the members of
humankind. Now, it is our profound duty to find and understand these factors and
causes of differentiation in our intellectual levels. In order to fulfill this
duty I am writing this chapter and to stand by your duty, you should read it
carefully, thank you.
Law of Cause and Effect: Law of Cause and Effect is an important law of nature.
The universe, the earth, life and all other things have been created in
accordance with Law of Cause and Effect. When the Great Creator of the universe
orders the creation of a thing---may it be a star or a particle, a mountain or a
grain, a man or an ant, the lowest intellectual level or the highest
intellectual level---His order happens to be comprehensive and final in
enforcement. And, all the forces and laws of nature set to work to make that
thing. Soon, that thing not only comes into being but rules and laws of its
creation come into existence. Thus, procedure of creation of that thing in the
future is finalized.
The factors, which determine the Human Intelligence and make it low or high, may
be divided into three kinds. The first kind is “Natural Factors” and it includes
Time, Physiological Environment and Heredity. The second kind is “Personal
Efforts” and it includes Observation, Imitation, Exercise, Education,
Experimentation, etc. The third kind is “Social Factors” and includes Nurture,
Training, Education, Balanced Diet and other facilities.
Time (First Natural Factor)
Time is one of the greatest forces of the nature. The universe, in which our
earth is situated, has been created according to the schedule of time. Whether
it is an atom or sun, a grain or a mountain, an elephant or an ant, an animal or
a man, time plays an important part in the birth or death of all. All laws of
nature, prevailing in the universe, are performing their duties according to a
timetable. Revolution of the galaxies, stars, our earth and moon is time bound.
In short, the systems of this universe are running with the help of time and
will continue to run till the end of universe.
Time has also played the most significant part in developing the intelligence
level of human beings. In fact, mankind has covered the evolutionary journey of
intelligence with the passage of time. Today’s level of human intelligence is
the outcome of running of time and future development of it will be the kindness
of time.
Even the intelligence level of an individual develops with the passage of time
because all the factors --- physical environment, heredity, observation,
education, practice, experimentation, etc. --- put their influences on human
intelligence in time frame.
I shall try to explain the topic of time and its effects on human intelligence
in two parts. In the first part we shall see how time upgrades the intellectual
level of an individual and in the second part we shall study what part time has
played in developing the intellectual level of human race in the history.
What is Time: It is interesting to define the term “Time”. Time is the name of
continuous chain of small moments. As soon as one moment passes another moment
follows it. This process is going on right from the very beginning and will
continue till the end of every thing or even perhaps after that. In order to
calculate the time, the man has named 1 moment as 1 Second, 60 seconds as 1
Minute, 60 minutes as 1 Hour, 24 hours as 1 Day, 30 or 31days as 1 Month,12
months as 1 Year, 100 years as 1 Century and 1000 years 1 Millennium.
The idea or feeling of running (passage) of time is produced from the events
that occur in the universe including our earth. Without the occurrence of
events, the conception of time and feeling of its running is impossible.
Two examples are being presented in order to clarify the concept of time and
feeling of its passage just below: ---
(i)The birth of the holy Christ is an event which gave way to Christian
calendar.
(2)Pakistan came into existence on August14, 1947. From this event we can find
out today how much time has passed since the creation of Pakistan.
Every child comes in this world with a particular intellectual level which is
called Physiological Limit. The signs of particular intellectual level start
appearing just after his birth. Then with the passage of every moment the
intellectual level of child goes on developing by means of observation,
education, practice, experimentation, etc.
Most of the psychologists are of the opinion that intellectual level continues
to develop up to the age of 20 years. Nevertheless, I do not agree with them. My
point of view is that the intellectual level of a man goes on improving and
developing with the help of observation, education, practice, experimentation,
etc. so much so the man reaches a particular age. The particular age means that
stage of old age when the physical limbs and brain of the man weaken so much
that they are unable to perform their duties properly. This stage of old age
varies from person to person and from nation to nation depending on period of
age, physical environment, heredity and social amenities. For instance in the
regions of hot weather the people reach this old age 25 years earlier than the
people of cold weather region.
Intellectual level is closely related with age. We have often observed that
intellectual level of ten year old boy is higher than that of a child of one
year and intellectual level of a young man of twenty years old is high as
compared to the intellectual level of ten years old boy. So, in this way
intellectual level of a man goes on developing with help of observation,
education, practice, experimentation, etc. According to my humble opinion,
generally intellectual level reaches the stage of maturity at the age of 40
years.
I have two strong reasons for forming such an opinion: The first reason is that
the intellectual capabilities reach near the Physiological Limit due to which
man gains potential of adjusting himself with the physical and social
environment. Furthermore, by that time man achieves the capability of
differentiating moral and ethical values and gets the knowledge of his rights
and duties. The second reason is that Allah Almighty has entrusted the
prophet-hood to his beloved personalities at the age of 40 years. Similarly, in
many countries for highest posts (Prime Minister and President) 40 years of age
is a necessary condition for candidates.
As already mentioned, intellectual level depends upon the length of age. The
general principle is that a person who enjoys longer age his intellectual level
will be higher than that of a person of shorter age. For instance, a person who
dies at an age of 40 years his intellectual level will be higher as compared to
a person who dies at the age of 20 years.
This principle also applies to nations. The nations having more average age get
higher intellectual level as compare to the intellectual levels of nations
having lesser average age. The reason behind this principle is very simple and
logical. The nations of long average age get more time for observation,
education, practice, experimentation, etc. --- which are the essential
constituent factors of higher level of intelligence --- than the nations of
shorter average age. In support of this principle, I give you the example of
Eight Great Countries (G.8 group) i.e. America, Canada, Britain, France,
Germany, Spain, Italy and Japan. The average age of these eight countries is
nearly 80 years. Thus, the people of G.8 countries get long average age and
delayed particular old age (usually at the age of 70) which means that they have
about 25 more years to develop their level of intelligence than most of the
countries of the world. The period of last 25 years of old age plays an
important part in developing the intellectual level. Because by this time, the
observation, knowledge, experience, etc. of the early age have accelerated the
process of development of intellectual level. Hence, when it gets 25 years more,
the intellectual level develops several times more rapidly. By taking advantage
of additional 25 years, people of the G.8 countries have been able to make such
a rapid progress. And today, on account of their social, economic, political and
technical development, they are ruling over other countries of the world and
have made themselves the Great Countries.
On the contrary, in the countries where the average age of people is 50 years or
less, the intellectual level of people remains comparatively low. Due to low
intellectual level these countries stay behind in every field of life as
compared to the developed countries. In such situation, the famous law of nature
“Might is right” comes into force according to which the wise rules over the
foolish, powerful over the weak and superior over the inferior. How this law is
operating on the earth, it will be explained in the Seventh Chapter.
Now we shall observe the role of Time from Historical point of view and shall
also see what part Time has played in the intellectual development of human
beings and how?
When we go through human history we can understand the character of Time in the
development of human intellectual level. We also come to know as to when and how
man has covered the distance of development in order to reach the present
intellectual level.
When did the man appear on the scene of the earth? No body knows the exact and
scientific answer to this question. But archaeologists and historians are of the
view that the present man appeared on the surface of earth about twenty thousand
years before.
When did man get intellectual sense? How did he use his intellectual sense for
the first time? Scientifically these questions are too difficult to answer.
Nevertheless, we may see a man using his intellectual sense only through
imagination. Imagine for a moment, about 15 thousand years ago, one day a man
was sitting under a fruit-tree and was looking at the fruit greedily. All of a
sudden an idea splashed in his mind. He picked up a stone and aimed at the fruit
of the tree. The fruit broke down and fell on the ground. The man picked up the
fruit and began to dance.
Perhaps, that was the first use of natural element (stone) by the human
intelligence. Then, with the passage of time intellectual level developed and
man made different kinds of tools from stone. With the help of those tools he
made useful things for his food and defense against his enemies. Now, these
tools can be seen in zoo.
That was the childhood of the human intelligence. He used to live in caves in
order to get shelter and protect himself against unfavourable and harsh climate.
A number of such caves have been discovered so far. In these caves man-made
pictures and human bones have also been found. The idea of making of his own hut
was developing in his mind.
That period extended over about seven thousand years. During this period the
speed of development of intellectual level was very slow. The historians named
that age as “Middle Stone Age”.
Then with the journey of time the intellectual level moved forward and covered
another step and man learnt how to make a hut with the help of natural elements
like clay, wood, grass, leaves, etc. He happened to be able to make pots from
clay, get crops by cultivation, and obtain milk, meat, leather from wild and
tamed animals. The people of that age began to live together in the form of
small habitation. In this way human life took the shape of society.
That age began about eight thousand years ago and continued for three thousand
years. In that age the speed of development of intellectual level was a bit
fast. This period is known as “New Stone Age”.
After that the wheel of time took human intelligence to a new station and
intelligence invented a new natural element in the form of metal. The man named
it “Bronze”. In that age man used metal for the first time to make utensil,
tools, coins and weapons. In that age the human habitations also expanded and
the social environment flourished. This period started about five thousand years
ago and prevailed for two thousand years. During that age the speed of
development of intellectual level was a little faster than the preceding ages.
The historians named that period as “Bronze Age”.
A habitation of Bronze Age.
The train of time continued its journey and carried the human intelligence into
an age of revolution, anarchism, confrontation, wars, etc. In this age, the man
succeeded in discovering a strong and durable metal “Iron”. He used iron for
making war-weapons like sword, arrow, spear etc. The invention of weapons led to
matchless confrontation and great wars. In these wars, hundreds of thousand
people were killed and billions of dollars’ property was destroyed.
On the literary side, during the period of first one thousand years, concept of
wisdom and philosophy took birth in the human intelligence. And many
philosophers and scholars like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Democritus,
Anaxagoras, etc. were born in Greece and in our sub-continent, Buddha and
Mahaveer were born. These philosophers and scholars gave new dimensions and
aspects about nature and its contents, ethics, politics, religion, etc. The
ideas, theories, quotations and teachings they made were so convincing that
people accepted them as correct for two thousand years without tests and
experiments. During this age two great religions of the world “Christianity and
Islam” happened to appear.
That age began about three thousand years before and continued till the 16th
century. That period extended over about two thousand and five hundred years.
During that period the speed of development of human intelligence was much
faster than the preceding ages. In fact, this period was full of excitement,
adventure, anarchy, conflicts and wars. That period is called “Iron Age”.
The wheel of vehicle of time went on revolving and took the human intelligence
into the 17th century for which man had waited for thousand of years. Prior to
17th century, man had been using the Deductive Method to make principles and
rules about events and incidents of material world. In the Deductive Method
principles and rules are made on the basis of observation, hypothesis, theory,
argument, reasoning, etc. For example, Aristotle observed that when a piece of
meat was left in a pot for a certain period of time, germs appeared in the meat.
On the basis of his observation he deducted a theory that life comes into being
automatically. Similarly, when (Beldames) an astronomer saw the Sun, the moon
and the stars revolving around the Earth, he presented a theory in his book that
the Earth is the center of the universe and the Sun, the moon and the stars are
rotating around it.
Till the end of 16th century a large number of similar theories were admitted as
true, without research and experiments, by the whole population of the world.
Consequently, due to the adoption of Deductive Method the speed of material
development remained slow during the past ages.
But during the 17th century and afterwards speed of development of human
intelligence increased tremendously and many great scientists appeared on the
scene of the earth. These scientists tested the prevailing theories through
experiments and discovered that most of them were wrong and were merely based
upon observation, supposition, deduction, logic and circumstantial evidence. The
list of scientists includes Francesco Rady,Bacon, Hershel, Copernicus, Galileo,
Capler, J.S. Mill and Newton, etc. They introduced the Scientific Method to make
principles and laws concerning the matters, events and incidents of material
world. Mr. J.S. Mill expressed the rules and procedure of the Scientific Method
very clearly. The basic purpose of Scientific Method is that theories derived
from observation, supposition, deduction, logic and circumstantial evidence must
be tested by experiments, so that no possibility of a mistake is left behind and
then laws and principles should be set up. In this way, these scientists
shattered the image and authority of Aristotle and other philosophers of past
ages.
Scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring
new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge in order to find
the truth.
Scientific method is an ongoing cycle, constantly developing more useful,
accurate and comprehensive rules and principles.
The essential elements of scientific method are followings:
a) Observations, definitions of the subject of the inquiry.
b) Gathering information and resources observed;
c)Formation of hypothesis;
d) Experimentation and collection of data;
e)Analyzing of data;
f) Interpretation of data and drawing conclusions;
g) Experiments (tests all of the above).
h) Publication of results and
i) Retesting frequently done by other scientists for confirmation.
The conquest of nature had been carried on for the last thousands of years, very
slowly but as soon as Scientific Method was adopted the speed of conquest of
nature increased tremendously.
It is pertinent to mention that all the above mentioned and other scientists
were born in European countries. These scientists made new principles and rules
for the subjects of Cosmology, Chemistry, Physics and Biology, etc. From the
very beginning, man was of the view that wheel can only be moved by the living
being. But by use of Newton’s law of action and reaction and other mechanism,
the scientists moved the wheel mechanically (without a living being). In this
way, man invented machines by using natural elements for the first time. Soon in
England a department of engineering was set up. This department produced
machines which could do works of several kinds at very fast speed. Now, the hand
work of several days could be done in few hours. Man began to dig out coal,
petroleum and other minerals in mass quantity from the heart of earth with the
help of machines. For the production of items of daily use, a large number of
factories and mills were set up. Bicycles, motor cycles, motor cars, buses,
trucks, ships, airplanes were manufactured for transportations. In this way
Industrial Revolution developed in England. In the coming years, other European
countries including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal jumped in the
race of this industrial progress. Soon in these countries exemplary social and
industrial atmosphere came into existence which had never prevailed before in
the human history. After few years Industrial Revolution reached America and
Canada and then Japan. Later on Australia also stepped into this Industrial
Revolution. Anyhow, in 17th century the Industrialization started and moved
faster and faster with the passage of time and at last came up to the Modern Age
of today.
This is a brief story of “Time” how it played its part in the development of
Human Intelligence.
It would not be out of place to mention here that today Human Intelligence is in
its childhood and has not reached at its maturity e.g. Physiological Limit.
Therefore, all the wonderful development and civilization are immature yet. The
author is confident that with the rotation of the wheel of clock, Human
Intelligence would reach near its Physiological Limit and give its fruit for the
benefit and welfare of mankind one day.
The other factors shall be posted in the next articles soon.