Intelligence is a concept that is encountered everyday but a concept that is often misunderstood. Most people have formulated a definition of intelligence based on their own experiences without even realizing it. We take for granted that we know the meaning of the term without truly thinking about it. Our definitions are often not fully formulated and frequently exclude important aspects of intelligence. It is, however, important to wholly define the term in order to discuss it without ignorance.
             Intelligence is much more than just the ability to acquire knowledge. The ability to use knowledge in everyday circumstances is equally as important as the possession of knowledge. Knowledge is like mathematics. Mathematics without application is pointless. It is when mathematical concepts are utilized in subjects such as physics, computer science or economics that they become useful. Similarly, knowledge is only valuable in its application. Without the intention of eventually applying knowledge to some aspect of life, it is futile.
             Imagine a man standing on railroad tracks watching a train quickly approach him. It is not sufficient for this man to know that if the train hits him he will die. The knowledge is useless unless he moves out of the way. If the man decides to remain where he is and is hit by the train, one would have a hard time arguing that the man was intelligent.
             My freshman year in college, I met a guy (let's call him Jeff), who most people would say was intelligent. Jeff had skipped a year of high school, and he was able to read a book and instantly understand and remember what he had read. With minimal work Jeff could have coasted his way through college. Instead, he never went to class, never did homework, and often didn't take quizzes and tests. Within a year and a half, Jeff was well on his way toward flunking out of college. What good was the knowledge that Jeff had acquired? He co...