Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is now 40 years old, and as part of the celebration, I’ve put together several quick videos that touch upon different aspects of his model. In this video, I talk about an intelligence that he has not officially integrated into his other eight intelligences, but he has spoken and written about it (see Intelligence Reframed). This is the existential intelligence: the intelligence of concern with ultimate life issues. It includes religious, spiritual, philosophical, cosmological, and mythological elements, but can even describe a person who is an agnostic or atheist but who is struggling with those bigger than life issues. I like to call it Life Smart (maybe I should have called it Bigger Than Life Smart, but I like things short and sweet). Anyway, here is a quick video, which you might show to people you know who are unfamiliar with MI theory.
For more information about multiple intelligences, get my practical guides to MI theory for adult learners (7 Kinds of Smart), educators who teach children from kindergarten through high school (Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, 4th edition), and parents (In Their Own Way). Follow me on Twitter: @Dr_Armstrong. Sign up for my blog.