Multiple Intelligences- Chapter 14

Block 2, Team 2,
October 6, 2007

Abstract:
Chapter 14 concludes the Multiple Intelligences book by examining yet another MI. The existence of a ninth MI is still being questioned, but according to Howard Gardner, one does exist. The existential intelligence is about locating oneself in relation to the cosmos and being able to relate one's life to the existence of human life and questions such as the meaning of life. There is some controversy over whether this should be considered an MI or not and whether it could be incorporated into the classroom.

Reflection:
Our group felt really strongly about the implications of this new MI in the classroom. How can we, as teachers, bring up and cater to this intelligence without bringing up religion and offending some students? We decided that this intelligence would be good to explore maybe in a psychology or philosophy classroom but is inappropriate to bring up in other classes, and because it can only really be used and is regulated to specific subjects and age groups it cannot be considered an intelligence. Although this intelligence could be beneficial to students, in that students will be allowed to look deeper into their thoughts about the world arund them, it cannot be used in younger classrooms simply because most students do not have that kind of understanding or ability to wrap their heads around such a large idea.