Robyn Oliphant

FHS 1500
Professor Robin McConkie-Ward
U4 Essay- Option B
Intelligence
To start I would like to mention that these thoughts in this paper are opinions and are
based on personal morals and standards, which leads to the thought of unintelligence.
The unintelligent thing that this person did was get involved with the wrong crowd and
the things they started doing. Trying to fit in with the cool crowd, they started getting black out
drunk, in-taking specific substances, in and at places they werent familiar with, and with people
they didnt always know. It has continuously become worse, in a little amount of time, but even
though the decisions that they have been made arent 100% great, or smart in that aspect; I still
consider them a very intelligent person.
They are very intelligent when it comes to schooling and life decisions, meaning money,
word choice, work settings etc. They have multiple intelligences, compromised of a varied set
of abilities rather than a single, all-encompassing one. (Berger. 2016. pg. 268) They received a
4.0 GPA throughout high school and were the valedictorian of their class. They received a full
ride scholarship to an out of state college, and since then have received multiple opportunities
based on their intelligence, 2 study abroad trips, more scholarship options, and job related
experiences. They are scheduled to graduate early and they are an extremely intelligent person
in the school setting. Being a people person is also a big intelligence they have, with their
current work, because they have made such a big difference with customer service and how they
deal with problems that arise, they have been promoted 2-3 times and in a short amount of time

is a manager where they work. So when you look at the big picture although some choices and
decisions they have made have been unintelligent they are still extremely intelligent in other
aspects.
The factors that were named and described were not at the expense of other people, but
mainly because of the choice that the individual had personally made in life. You cant blame
any other person for those intelligent or unintelligent decisions because they all come back on
the single person and their life.
I have always considered the possibility of someone that is homeless has great potential
but has never really been given the opportunity to show the potential they have. Whether it was
they desired to pursue something they led to a flop, or just the circumstances in life in which they
were dealt. I have had the opportunity to work in a title-one elementary school and I watched as
many children who have been dealt this hand fought to prove that they had potential. Some were
amazing artists, others had a great way with words, some had phenomenal athletic abilities and
the list could go on. Once again multiple intelligences, compromised of a varied set of abilities
rather than a single, all-encompassing one. (Berger. 2016. pg. 268) Even though they have these
skills and talents they have to fight hard for them to be seen and heard. Some will be given that
opportunity to use their potential and others wont be given the opportunity to defy the odds.
These students and individuals have a different form of intelligence due to the culture and way
they were raised. Cultures and families dampen or accelerate particular intelligences. (Berger.
2016. Pg.268)
Arguments that are being made about these standards that these individuals have are little
to none. Many individuals believe those people that are in homeless shelters are there at their
own fault. That they have addictions and dont have the desire to change their lives or the course

they are taking. Which isnt always the case, many times it is due to the lack of opportunity.
Instead of trying to help these people we seem to brush them under the rug and only worry about
ourselves. We need to look at and help everyone receive the greatest opportunities and
experiences possible to succeed in this life.
General intelligence of such a subject would help this argument beyond measures, if
everyone understood or was in relation with someone that was fighting against the odds of living
in a homeless shelter. They would understand that many people in these situations didnt choose
this way of life but rather were thrown into it due to, loss of a job, divorce, their financial
situation, etc. If we all had the general intelligence of this subject, the lives of these individuals
could change dramatically. We would work to create jobs for these people, a place of living that
was affordable and help those living below the poverty line, at some point it could even become
a major focus for our society.
Intelligence and unintelligence is all based on a personal opinion and insight. This
insight can be changed and altered based on how we live and how we were raised. Different
decisions and ways of life can also contribute to the way a person looks at intelligence and
unintelligence.

WORKS CITED
Stassen Berger, Kathleen. Invitation to the Life Span. 3rd ed. N.p.: Worth, 2016. Print.