Computer programmer & Data analyst
Pat Keogh’s `Defining Intelligence’ gives one an in-depth insight into the concept of the mind. The executive function of the prefrontal cortex, our ability to use language, to plan and bring plans to fruition as well as our ability to create, invent and compose is established as the essence of human thinking. The chapter on personality is most informative and gives us a real insight into how we act and behave and why we act and behave as we do. Freud and Jung’s dream theories with their attempts to penetrate the inner thoughts of the human mind are explained and simplified. But do these theories only give us snap-shots into the elusive mind? The idea that the mind is elusive and beyond the reach of any form of scientific investigation makes one think and wonder about this most unique and mysterious aspect of the human being and if it can ever be understood. Our dreams may reveal our inner thoughts and organize what we do in the conscious state but this is only a superficial attempt to tap into the vast, unique and incomprehensible abilities of the thinking process The author challenges the notion of psychological testing. This is a brave and courageous challenge at a time when new psychological conditions are coming to the fore at a rapid rate, conditions such as ADD, ADHD, SID, Asperger’s syndrome, ASD etc. Yet, this challenge raises the profile of the individual person and credits each of us with a uniqueness that should make us proud and special. This book would be most valuable for teachers, parents or anybody interested in philosophy, psychology or seeking an understanding of the mind. I found the book most interesting and informative. This is a book that educationalists, teachers and all studying psychology should read.
