Metaphors of Mind
Conceptions of the Nature of Intelligence

It seeks to help readers understand human intelligence as viewed from a variety of standpoints.

Robert J. Sternberg (Author)

9780521386333, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 July 1990

364 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.53 kg

"...provides an integrative framework for comparing one theory to another. This is an important and original contribution....a major intellectual contribution to the field. I shall use it in my own research and teaching, and I urge others to do the same." Earl Hunt, Contemporary Psychology

Metaphors of Mind seeks to help readers understand human intelligence as viewed from a variety of standpoints, such as those of psychology, anthropology, computational science, sociology, and philosophy. Much of the present confusion surrounding the concept of intelligence stems from our having looked at it from these different standpoints without considering how they relate to each other or how they might be combined into a unified view that goes beyond the boundaries of a particular discipline. Readers of Metaphors of Mind will come away with a comprehensive understanding of the concept of intelligence and how ideas about it have evolved and are continuing to evolve.

Preface
List of tables
Part I. Introduction: 1. Metaphors as foundations for theories of intelligence
Part II. Definitions of Intelligence: 2. Historical views of intelligence
3. Contemporary views of intelligence
4. The seminal views of Galton and Binet
Part III. Theories of Intelligence Looking Inward: 5. The geographic metaphor
6. The computational metaphor
7. The biological metaphor
8. The epistemological metaphor
Part IV. Theories of Intelligence Looking Outward: 9 The anthropological metaphor
10. The sociological metaphor
Part V. Theories of Intelligence Looking Inward and Outward: 11. The systems metaphor
12. Implications of the metaphorical approach.

Subject Areas: Intelligence & reasoning [JMRN]