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Entry: Responding to Justin Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/responding_to_justin#26503 Post contents: I think Kari's distinction, which is a Platonic one, between conventional smarts and deeper wisdom is correct, and as someone who leans toward Plato, I have no trouble embracing it. But Marcus is also correct about the advantages of conventional intelligence (dianoia rather than episteme or sophia)for navigating through life, showing moral restraint when necessary, and accepting responsibility. For most people in most places, having good native intelligence, which can be at least partly measured through testing, is indicative of a wide variety of social outcomes. Such an endowment may not be sufficient to maintain a civilization (look at the nuts who teach in the Ivy League)but it doe provide the general society with usable intellectual talent while ensuring a high level of peaceful behavior. Sent at: 2008 10 14