How do you judge how intelligent someone is?

In My Humble Opinion
81

No, actually it isn’t. Height and speed can be measured objectively, as they relate to physical phenomenon.

Intelligence is akin to aesthetics and in most ways is determined by the eye of the beholder. I think my cat is an intelligent creature because she has a certain self-aware look in her eyes and because she doesn’t do very many bone-headed things. But another person could look at her and conclude that because she isn’t very adventurous, she dumb as a post. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

Imagine if this thread was called “How do you judge how tall someone is?” The answer would be real simple. Take a freakin’ tape measure and count the inches. Such a thread would belong in General Questions, not IMHO. That right there should tell you why intelligence and height/speed are nothing alike when it comes to judging a person.

82

Not necessarily. Objective things can be hard to measure, especially in the limitations of a social setting. A thread called “How do you judge how old someone is?” would probably have many different responses.

83

The issue is not whether something is difficult to measure objectively. The issue is whether something can be measured objectively.

Is it possible to objectively measure the beauty of the Mona Lisa? How?

Is it possible to objectively measure how intelligent Leo DaVinci was? How?