FAH 0033

THINKING SKILLS
2. INTELLIGENCE, THINKING
AND
KNOWLEDGE

Thinking vs Intelligence
The belief that intelligence and thinking are the
same has led to 2 unfortunate conclusions in
education:

1. That nothing is to be done for students with a
high intelligence because they will automatically
be good thinkers.

2. That nothing can be done for students without a
high intelligence because they cannot ever be
good thinkers.
Intelligence, Thinking & Knowledge
A car analogy:

Intelligence is like the horsepower of a car.

Thinking is like the skill of the car driver.

Knowledge is like the fuel of the car.
utp ghf 0033 (1)
Intelligence, Thinking &
Knowledge


Driving Skills
Horsepower
Fuel

Horsepower = Intelligence
Fuel = Knowledge
Driving skills = Thinking skills

Difference between Intelligence & Thinking
A less powerful car may be driven well.

A powerful car may be driven badly.

The skill of the driver determines how the power of
the car is used.

The skill of the thinker determines how intelligence
is used.

Therefore, intelligence and thinking are not the same.
Thinking vs Intelligence
People of limited intelligence can learn to think
well.

The trained thinker has the advantage.

Thinking is the operating skills with which we
use our intelligence.

Thinking skills can be developed and improved.
The Intelligence Trap
Situation


Seeing


Judging

Situation

Seeing

Exploring

Judging

2 Aspects of the Intelligence Trap
1. The more intelligent the person, the better the
defense of his own view.

The better the defense of his view, the less the
person sees any need to listen to others.

As a result, many highly intelligent minds are
trapped in poor ideas because they can defend
them so well.
2. He thinks he is more intelligent than others
(may be a correct view) and wants to get the
most satisfaction from that intelligence.

This is the quickest way to prove someone
else wrong, which establishes his superiority.
Being constructive is less rewarding.

So, being critical and destructive is a much
more appealing use of intelligence.

It is even worse with the Western notion that
critical thinking is enough.
Concept of Practice
We think everyday but this does not
automatically make us better thinkers. If you
practice poor thinking, you will become an
extremely skilled poor thinker.

Consider the case of a two-finger typist.
He/She is extremely skilled in doing the right
thing the wrong way.

We want to do the right things the right way.
Conclusion
1. Three ways to acquire a skill:

- Practice
- Practice
- Practice

2. Practice makes perfect X

3. Perfect practice makes perfect


FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Berfikir sesaat itu lebih baik daripada
sembahyang sunat selama tujuh puluh
tahun.

Lihatlah bulan, lihatlah langit, lihatlah
bintang dan fikirkan.
Prof. Dr Syed Hussein Alatas
Jangan kita jijik pada perkataan akal, seolah-olah akal
bertentangan dengan wahyu. Akallah yang membedakan
hadis palsu dari hadis benar, sunah palsu dari sunah benar,
tafsir salah dari tafsir benar, fikiran maju dari fikiran buntu,
pendapat sesat dari pendapat tepat, kupasan mendalam dari
kupasan cetek, fikiran gigih dari fikiran lembap, dan ucapan
merendah diri dari ucapan angkuh.

Let us not detest the word reason (akal) as though reason is
contradictory to revelation (wahyu). It is reason that separates
the false hadith from the true hadith, the false sunnah from
the true sunnah, the wrong interpretations from the correct
interpretations, progressive thinking from retarded thinking,
deviant opinion from wise opinion, in-depth analysis from
shallow analysis, robust thought from weak thinking, and
humble speech from arrogant speech.
COMPULSORY READING
Edward de Bono. (1993). Introduction: Why We
Need New Thinking About Thinking. In Teach
Your Child How to Think. London: Penguin
Books. pp. 5-12.

Edward de Bono. (1993). Attitudes. In Teach
Your Child How to Think. London: Penguin
Books. (pp. 69 72).

Edward de Bono. (1993). Under What
Circumstances? In Teach Your Child How to
Think. London: Penguin Books. (pp. 174 -176).