Who is Howard Gardner and what were his views on intelligence and learning? Describe and identify Gardners theory and the dimensions of intelligence.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Howard Gardner and His Views on Intelligence and Learning
Who is Howard Gardner?
Howard Gardner is an American developmental psychologist and professor of education at Harvard University, best known for his theory of multiple intelligences. He first introduced this concept in his 1983 book, “Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.” Gardner’s work revolutionized the understanding of intelligence, challenging the traditional view that intelligence can be measured solely through standardized testing.
Gardner’s Views on Intelligence
Gardner proposed that intelligence is not a single, fixed attribute that can be quantified by IQ tests. Instead, he argued that individuals possess a variety of intelligences that reflect different ways of processing information and learning. He emphasized that each person has a unique combination of these intelligences, which influences how they learn, think, and interact with the world. This perspective promotes a more inclusive understanding of human capabilities and recognizes the diverse talents people may possess.
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Gardner’s theory identifies eight distinct intelligences, each representing different ways of learning and understanding the world:
1. Linguistic Intelligence:
– This intelligence involves the ability to use language effectively for communication, expression, and understanding. Individuals with high linguistic intelligence excel in reading, writing, storytelling, and verbal reasoning.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:
– This dimension reflects the capacity for logical reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding complex mathematical concepts. People with strong logical-mathematical intelligence are often adept at scientific thinking, abstract reasoning, and critical analysis.
3. Spatial Intelligence:
– Spatial intelligence pertains to the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space. Individuals with high spatial intelligence are skilled in areas such as architecture, art, graphic design, and navigation.
4. Musical Intelligence:
– This intelligence involves sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, melody, and sound. Those with strong musical intelligence are often talented musicians, composers, or music critics who can appreciate and create musical patterns.
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence:
– Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence refers to the ability to use one’s body effectively to express ideas or perform tasks. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftsmen typically exhibit high levels of this intelligence.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence:
– Interpersonal intelligence involves the capacity to understand and interact effectively with others. Individuals with strong interpersonal intelligence are skilled in communication, empathy, and collaboration, making them effective leaders and team members.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence:
– This dimension reflects an individual’s ability to understand themselves, including their emotions, motivations, and strengths. People with high intrapersonal intelligence are self-aware and capable of self-reflection.
8. Naturalistic Intelligence:
– Naturalistic intelligence pertains to the ability to recognize, categorize, and interact with elements in the natural environment. This intelligence is often seen in botanists, biologists, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Additional Dimension: Existential Intelligence
In later years, Gardner considered a potential ninth intelligence known as existential intelligence, which relates to the capacity to ponder deep questions about existence, life, death, and human purpose. However, this dimension has not been formally integrated into his original framework.
Implications for Education
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences has significant implications for education:
– Differentiated Instruction: Educators can tailor their teaching strategies to accommodate diverse intelligences within a classroom. This approach allows all students to engage with content in ways that resonate with their strengths.
– Holistic Education: The recognition of multiple intelligences encourages a broader curriculum that includes arts, physical education, social-emotional learning, and environmental education.
– Personalized Learning: Understanding each student’s unique profile of intelligences helps educators create personalized learning experiences that foster individual growth and development.
Conclusion
Howard Gardner’s work on multiple intelligences has transformed our understanding of human capabilities by emphasizing the diversity of ways individuals process information and learn. By identifying eight distinct intelligences (and potentially a ninth), Gardner advocates for an inclusive educational approach that recognizes and nurtures each student’s unique strengths. This perspective not only enhances teaching practices but also promotes a more comprehensive understanding of intelligence beyond traditional academic measures.
