F. Scott Fitzgerald said that “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” XXX I think this statement is very true. XXX Intelligence is a very broad term that can mean lots of things to lots of different people, to F. Scott Fitzgerald intelligence means accepting not just your opinion but other people’s as well. Once you realize someone else’s point of view on something, only then can you truly understand your own. The thought of holding two opposing ideas inside your head is a very hard one to come to terms with. Often we have our own opinion and that’s the only one we ever take into consideration. Once we can see both sides of things or an opposed idea that is when we can reevaluate our thought and see if it is a good one in the first place. Once you can have the two opposed thoughts in your mind you still have to be able to function as well. Sometimes when we are able to see both sides we can get caught up and not be able to function. Being able to function while having the two opposed ideas in your head at the same time is a very good skill to have. Future employees would love to have someone who can see both sides of a situation. Not only does it let you think more about your idea but it also lets you see where the other person is coming from while thinking that. You certainly need to be intelligent to be able to “hold two opposed ideas in [your] mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function” that is certainly why it is a great test of first-rate intelligence.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
F. Scott And Zelda Fitzgerald In American Popular Culture is an essay written by Ruth Prigozy. Ruth Prigozy is a very credible author who has received her B.A, her M.A, and her Ph.D and she is the Executive Director at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society as well as a professor at Hofstra University. Nearly all her publications have to do with Mr. Fitzgerald and/or his wife, this is one of her most ‘famous’ pieces. Her essay includes footnotes and Works Cited pages with published books and scholarly authors, as well as pieces from Zelda Fitzgerald. The essay is quite lengthy but easily understandable. She writes factually by backing up everything she says with evidence in order to prove to people that F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald are more than…
- 190 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Unaware of significant problem in our thinking. Have no useful conception of what thinking entails.…
- 264 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Most psychologists now define Intelligence: the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.…
- 1085 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Many characters in the Great Gatsby parallel to Fitzgerald life. For example, Daisy, the women Jay Gatsby has been basing his whole life on, is similar to Zelda Sayre, who would not marry Fitzgerald at first because of his lack of success.…
- 344 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”…
- 654 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
* Intelligence is mental quality consisting of the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations.…
- 351 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
References: Goodman, M. and Fritichie, L.L. (2011). Thinking like a genius. Study Guides and Strategies. Retrieved March 31, 2011 from: http://www.studygs.net/genius2.htm…
- 1213 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Intelligence, term usually referring to a general mental capability to reason, solve problems, think abstractly, learn and understand new material, and profit from past experience. Intelligence can be measured by many different kinds of tasks. Likewise, this ability is expressed in many aspects of a person’s life. Intelligence draws on a variety of mental processes, including memory, learning, perception, decision-making, thinking, and reasoning.…
- 2102 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Intelligence is an intrapersonal phenomenon, that is inside a person and it is generally agreed that the nature of this energy is unknown. Nevertheless, it may be known by its mental products (Groth-Marnet, 1997; Wechsler, 1939). Because there are many different ways to be intelligent there have also been many different definitions proposed (see Neiser, et al., 1996 for summary). A consensus on what constitutes intelligence is generally lacking. Alfred Binet (1908), the author of one of the first modern intelligence tests, defined intelligence as the inclination to take and maintain a specific direction, and capacity to adapt to achieve a goal outcome, and the power of autocriticism (Kaplan, & Saccuzzo, 2005). In contrast, David Wechsler, the developer of the Wechsler scales, defined intelligence as the aggregate capacity to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment (Wechsler, 1958 as cited in Kaplin, & Saccuzzo). A review by Sternberg, (2005) of intelligence literature over the past century by psychologists and intelligence experts reveals two…
- 4122 Words
- 17 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Intelligence is realized through many different forms, which allows people to succeed in their own way. Howard Gardener, a famous psychologist, determined that there are eight areas of intelligence. Gardener emphasizes the point that it is not how smart you are, but “how” you are smart. For example, David Beckham could be considered an intelligent person because of his soccer smarts. He may not have the highest IQ, but he has bodily-kinesthetic skills that allowed him to…
- 688 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
“Best writer of the 20th century” (Source B). Many believe that F. Scott Fitzgerald was the best writer of the 20th century. This is an amazing thing because there were a lot writers during this time and for many people to believe that he was the best is truly unbelievable. F. Scott Fitzgerald went to Princeton University, which is where he began his writing career. His first novel that he ever published was called The Side of Paradise, which was an instant success and made him very wealthy at the time. He went on to become a very successful writer from here on. According to “F. Scott Fitzgerald: Tales from the Jazz age” (Source A), “F. Scott Fitzgerald biography” (Source B), and “F. Scott Fitzgerald: Encyclopedia of American Literature” (Source C) Fitzgerald’s contribution to American culture was syntax/diction and fashion. This is important because his work set the standards for new American writers, and perfectly described different types of Americans.…
- 859 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
saying Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey. Why does wealth have to be related to materials and…
- 498 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
1.Traditionally, people have defined (and standardized tests have assessed) someone who is intelligent as an individual who can solve problems, use logic to answer questions, and think critically. But psychologist Howard Gardner has a much broader definition of intelligence. Compare the traditional idea about intelligence with Gardner's. Are there advantages to the traditional format of intelligence testing? How can Gardner’s ideas change the way we assess the strengths and weaknesses of people?…
- 890 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Everyone is familiar with the famous Rubin face-vase drawing, a black and white print in which one can simultaneously perceive faces by focusing on the black ink or a vase by focusing on the white. If I announce that this is a picture of a vase, am I right? However you announce you see a picture of two faces, are you right? Who’s right? Are we both right? Or are we both wrong? Is it right and wrong; good and evil? I believe neurobiological research, as well as personal anecdotal study; have demonstrated that dichotomous thinking, (mental duality) is an appropriate expectation for developing brains. However an evolved adult brain has developed the ability (free will) to reconcile their emotional reactivity with reality to understand that there are very few absolutes in life. The picture is both face and vase. You and I may only see one figure; however that does not mean the other does not exist. To see the truth one must integrate the entire picture, black and white, good and evil.…
- 1660 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Many would say defining intelligence is easily done, or that intelligence is clearly the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. However, there is more than just one type of intelligence in people. Not every human has the same thought process and abilities. Every individual has their own set of unique abilities and talents that cannot be defined and captured in one sentence. Intelligence is defined by human beings, and by their actions, theories, beliefs, and innovations. Many have searched to define intelligence, which is why we are left with numerous theories of what intelligence actually is. Perhaps, there are two types of intelligence that categorize numerous talents and abilities possessed by humans.…
- 438 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays