Understanding Intelligence from a Biblical Perspective
Not a post
I would like to present a biblically sourced model of intelligence and engage in a thoughtful discussion on this topic. As someone fascinated by the biblical viewpoint, I believe it offers valuable insights into the nature of intelligence.
Jewish culture has always had a lot of words to describe different kinds of intelligence, just like rationalists have many words to describe different kinds of logical fallacies.
In the Hebrew Bible, intelligence is described using three distinct terms: Chachma, Bina, and Daas. Allow me to shed some light on each of these concepts and their significance. (Note: If there is interest, I can explore the parallel topic of foolishness in another post, to keep this discussion focused.)
1. Chachma חכמה, often translated as the 'spark' of intelligence, is associated with the development of new ideas. Traditionally, it has been linked to men, emphasizing their role in generating innovative thinking.
2. Next, we have Bina בינה, which roughly translates to inferential thinking. It is commonly associated with women, language learning, and the constructive utilization of existing information.
3. Lastly, Daas דעת represents knowledge, independent of gender. This form of intelligence relies on experience, allowing individuals to express their ideas and build upon existing knowledge. While unlimited intelligence may exist, Daas is essential for its practical application.
It's important to note that Daas requires time and exposure to the world, making it less accessible to children. However, both Chachma and Bina can be seemingly limitless, explaining the phenomenon of child prodigies.
In my perspective, intelligence can be measured. Chachma essentially reflects the speed at which ideas are generated. Personally, I have always been able to come up with ideas faster than those around me. For instance, if there were a test where topics for discussion had to be generated within a five-minute timeframe, I believe I would perform quite well. Historically, men have excelled in this area, possibly accounting for their dominance in mathematics and scientific advancements.
Bina, on the other hand, pertains to inferential learning and language comprehension. This is often measured through IQ tests and aligns with much of the discussion on this subreddit. There is a strong connection between Bina and language learning, (stereotypically, mothers are the ones who talk more to the kids, and have more insight into what is going on in the family) and I wish I understood enough to find out if this would map onto how large language models work in artificial intelligence.
Daas, being a combination of expertise and perspective, presents the greatest challenge to measure. It transcends gender, as anyone can possess or lack Daas depending on their experiences and understanding.
I am open to any questions or comments you may have regarding this perspective on biblical intelligence. Let's engage in a respectful and enlightening discussion.
1. You'd be correct if I was referring to the sefira of chachma. I am not referring to that. Koach Ma, an anagram of chochma (in Hebrew), yesh meiayin. I specifically didn't refer to that because I don't know kabbalah.
2. Some biblical sources:
וחכמה מאין תמצא
"And wisdom, from *where* (same word can be translated as of *nothing*) does it come" (Job 28:12)
3. Targum Yonasan, an Aramaic translation of the Torah , translates Bereishit, the very first word, as *bchochmata - with wisdom*. So I don't need to go to Kabbalah to find sources. In fact, that is what the kabbalistic scholars use as a source.
4. Psalms 104:24, "You made everything with chachma", again chachma.
Then there's the obvious source in Proverb
Proverbs 3:19, referencing creation of world
Proverbs 24:3-4, referencing building a home