Intelligence

Conceptual impressions surrounding this post have yet to be substantiated, corroborated, confirm or woven into a larger argument, context or network. Objective: To generate symbolic links betwee scientific discovery, design awareness and consciousness.

The concept of a virtual reality looks different when viewed from the perspective of the heart (Kama) than from the mind (Manas). Both partake in what might be considered an awareness created for the purpose of designing, which includes an innate drive towards a full integration of all intelligences.

Intelligence, for all intents and purposes, is based upon opinion. All views of reality are indicators of a symbolic perspective of the world supported by personal beliefs and judgments. 

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Plato’s cave and the stubborn persistence of ignorance By Daniel R. DeNicola - BIG THINK -Thinking- December 8. 2024 

“Ignorance and knowledge are concepts that cannot stand alone: They presuppose each other. It seems as convoluted to describe absolute and complete ignorance as is to describe absolute and complete knowledge. Ignoration and omniscience are comprehendible only as limiting concepts.” 

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Facts are things that can be shown to be true to exist or have happened. There are no suppositions, beliefs or interpretations/opinions surrounding facts. Investigations into quantum physics, however, have challenged this position, especially concerning Wheeler’s theory of a participatory universe.

Knowledge is likewise a quality of intelligence. Knowledge describes a general awareness, which is an accumulation of information, facts, ideas, principles, opinions and experiences. Opinions and facts together help describe and define knowledge.

With knowledge can come understanding. Understanding is the ability to perceive and explain the meaning and nature of something or someone. Like an opinion, understanding is interpretive in character, but remains more empathic, sympathetic and tolerant of the situation.

Understanding is an expression of intelligence and contains the accumulative strengths of opinions, facts and knowledge. However, understanding goes a step beyond knowing in being both receptive and responsive to the emotional underpinnings that link the many parts to the whole.

Belief is an integral part of knowing and knowing is an integral part of believing. Opinion, fact, knowledge, understanding and wisdom are reflective categorizations sharing a common consciousness. 

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- Theory of Multiple Intelligences

- Plato's Theaetetus: How Do We Know What We Know?

- Kant: A Complete Guide to Reason

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Understanding is a fundamental requirement of true design thinking. Design thinking typically begins with a mixture of knowledges and beliefs saturated with a wide variety of facts and opinions, all of which become inconsequential if either the observer and/or the context (situation) is not fully understood and comprehended.

Design thinking requires that you first know what you're dealing with, especially considering yourself.

It is through understanding that meaning sways purpose and where design thinking has its greatest influence. Understanding is an expression of sensitivity, awareness, empathy and compassion. Understanding actively demonstrates an awareness of both the whole and the parts that make up the whole.

Wisdom will emerge when the meaning and purpose supporting understanding becomes fully experienced and made apparent (realized) in the nowness of the moment - a result of the dynamic relationship between design and consciousness. 

Wisdom closes the loop when love and compassion prevail.

- The Power of Quantum Thinking / Dr. Vandana Shiva at Consciousness

- The Terrifying Theory of Stupidity You Never Were Meant to Hear - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information 

"Intelligence can be defined as a general mental ability for reasoning, problem solving, and learning. Because of its general nature, intelligence integrates cognitive functions such as perception, attention, memory, language or planning."

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This text touches on several profound philosophical and psychological themes related to reality, perception, intelligence, understanding, and wisdom. 

1. Virtual Reality and the Dual Perspectives: Heart (Kama) vs. Mind (Manas) 

The text introduces the idea of perceiving reality through two contrasting lenses: Kama (the heart) and Manas (the mind). 

• Kama (Heart): This could represent a perspective driven by emotion, intuition, and desire. From this viewpoint, reality isn’t purely logical or factual but is deeply rooted in subjective experience. The heart or emotional intelligence might lead one to see the world not just as it is, but as one feels it to be—where truth is shaped by emotional engagement and connections. 

• Manas (Mind): The mind is often associated with logic, reason, and the analytical side of intelligence. Viewing reality from the mind involves a more detached, objective approach. It's about breaking down information, analyzing facts, and constructing theories. While this perspective allows for a more structured view of the world, it may miss out on the emotional or relational dimensions that shape our fuller understanding of existence. 

Both views are intertwined in the process of designing, suggesting that a balance between emotional and intellectual intelligence is needed to create a comprehensive worldview and meaningful experiences. 

2. Intelligence and the Role of Opinion 

The text suggests that intelligence is not simply a passive receptacle of facts but is inherently linked to opinion. Intelligence emerges through our perspectives, which are shaped by personal beliefs, judgments, and experiences. 

• Intelligence as Opinion: This is a fascinating angle because it implies that intelligence doesn’t exist in isolation; it's influenced by what we think, feel, and believe about the world. Everyone's intelligence is shaped by their unique experiences and worldview, meaning that intelligence is not a fixed, universal concept but a dynamic, subjective one. This aligns with ideas in philosophy and psychology, where knowledge and wisdom are seen as co-constructed by culture, perception, and personal narrative. 

3. The Nature of Facts 

The passage emphasizes the distinction between facts and opinions. Facts are described as objective truths—something that can be demonstrated to exist or have occurred without subjectivity. However, the text introduces quantum physics as a counterpoint to this rigid definition, referencing Wheeler’s participatory universe. 

• Quantum Physics and the Participatory Universe: In quantum theory, reality doesn’t just exist independently of us but may be influenced by the observer. This has profound implications for the concept of facts. In a participatory universe, facts might not be so straightforward or static; they might depend on how the observer interacts with them. This challenges traditional ideas of objectivity, suggesting that facts themselves may be fluid, subjective, and interconnected with consciousness. 

4. Knowledge, Understanding, and Empathy 

The text makes a clear distinction between knowledge and understanding: 

• Knowledge: This is the accumulation of facts, information, and experiences. It includes both objective facts and subjective opinions. Knowledge is about knowing—it’s a broad awareness of concepts, ideas, and principles. 

• Understanding: This goes beyond knowing. It’s about interpreting and feeling empathy and the ability to perceive the deeper nature of something. Understanding is described as more compassionate and sensitive, incorporating emotional intelligence into the cognitive process. It's about seeing the world through multiple perspectives, integrating both intellectual and emotional dimensions. 

5. Wisdom and the Nowness of the Moment 

The passage suggests that wisdom emerges when understanding is fully integrated with the present moment ("nowness"). Wisdom is a synthesis of knowledge, experience, empathy, and purpose. 

• Wisdom as the Emergence of Love and Compassion: Wisdom doesn’t just reside in intellectual mastery; it’s the culmination of understanding that enables one to live with compassion, sensitivity, and love. This suggests a vision of wisdom that is holistic and relational rather than purely cognitive. 

This aligns with ancient traditions, such as in Eastern philosophy, where wisdom (often connected to spiritual maturity) transcends mere knowledge and understanding. It’s about a deep, experiential connection to life that’s grounded in empathy and compassion. In design thinking, this kind of wisdom would inform decisions that not only solve practical problems but also nurture human relationships and the environment. 

6. Design Thinking and the Need for True Understanding The text relates the discussion of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to the concept of design thinking, which is a methodology often used in problem-solving and creativity. The passage argues that design thinking requires true understanding—not just an intellectual grasp of facts and principles, but also an empathetic, sensitive, and comprehensive awareness of the context, including the emotional and human elements involved. 

• Self-awareness in Design: The idea that one must first understand oneself before understanding the context is crucial here. Design thinking isn’t just about objective analysis of a problem; it’s about being aware of one’s own beliefs, biases, and emotional responses. This self-awareness is key to approaching a design problem with humility, empathy, and sensitivity. 

• Meaning and Purpose: In design thinking, understanding the purpose behind a solution is just as important as finding the solution itself. Understanding is more than just cognitive—it’s about the meaning and impact that design choices have on the larger picture, and how those choices align with human values and needs. 

7. The Interrelationship Between Opinion, Fact, Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom 

The text ultimately argues that opinion, fact, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are not isolated categories but interconnected aspects of a larger, holistic consciousness. They represent different levels or expressions of intelligence and awareness. 

• Belief and Knowledge: Belief is tied to knowing, and knowing is tied to belief. This cyclical relationship shows that our beliefs shape our understanding of facts, and vice versa. This is important because it highlights the fluid nature of knowledge and how subjective experience is always intertwined with what we consider to be objective truths. 

• The Role of Design and Consciousness: The relationship between design and consciousness is seen as dynamic, where design is not just about creating solutions but about creating solutions that align with human consciousness in a meaningful way. Wisdom, love, and compassion are seen as the ultimate goals of design, where design thinking becomes an expression of our highest potential as human beings. 

Conclusion: This text weaves together complex ideas about perception, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. It proposes a more holistic and integrative approach to how we engage with the world—one that blends the rational mind with the intuitive heart. It encourages us to acknowledge the interconnectedness of facts, opinions, knowledge, and understanding, and how these aspects can coalesce into wisdom and compassion when applied mindfully, especially in the process of design and creation. 

The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.

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"To believe is to accept another's truth.

To know is your own creation."

Anonymous

Edited: 11.28.2013, 01.11.2017, 03.27.2023, 01.27.2024, 12.14.2024, 06.06.2025, 06.19.2025

Find your truth. Know your mind. Follow your heart. Love eternal will not be denied. Discernment is an integral part of self-mastery. You may share this post as long as author, copyright and URL http://designconsciousness.blogspot.com/ is included as the resource and shared on a non-commercial no charge basis. Please note … posts are continually being edited over time. Copyright © 2008 C.G. Garant.  All Rights Reserved. Fair Use Notice.