Often human intelligence is presented as a broad abstraction, a somewhat amorphous concept that may or may not be grasped by the pointed calipers of science. Is there a genetic component? Do proxies of intelligence—such as IQ tests—really capture the phenomenon? Might there be a way to increase intelligence once we have a firm understanding of its biological roots?
Associate Editor Shawna Williams deftly tackles these big-picture questions in her feature story, “The Biological Roots of Intelligence.” She talks to scientists at the forefront of intelligence research, and poses this intriguing question to readers: “Is our species smart enough to understand the basis of our own intelligence?”
I personally think humans are up to this ambitious neuroscientific challenge. But I’ve recently been mulling over some less-ballyhooed manifestations of intelligence. I do think there is utility in dissecting general intelligence and thinking about its component biological, environmental, and social drivers. But ...
