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Conference 2012: Guy Claxton – The emotional brain and decision making

“…presents hubris as a disorder of intelligence and, more specifically as a particular form of stupidity, representing a breakdown in what are normally regarded as self-regulating systems

 

Professor Guy Claxton
Professor of Learning Sciences and Co-Director, Centre for Real World Learning, University of Winchester

Professor Claxton presented hubris as a disorder of intelligence and, more specifically as a particular form of stupidity, representing a breakdown in what are normally regarded as self-regulating systems. He suggested that there are both old and new views of intelligence. In the old view intelligence is seen as part of an essentially antagonistic process in which cool reason “trumps” emotion, impulse and intuition. The new view, in contrast, suggests that intelligence involves several complimentary systems (cf. “The Righteous Mind”, Jonathan Haidt).

Such systems manifest themselves at various levels of behaviour. Thus, for example:

  • COPE – impulsive; rapid
  • CHECK – analytical; evaluative; conscious; deliberate
  • MULL – contemplative; reflective
  • CHAT – Discursive; debate; public testing

Stupidity is a consequence of the fact that each system is capable of error and/or misapplication. Intelligence requires appropriate timing and prioritising.

Download notes of Professor Claxton’s address (and aResponse from Lord Alderdice) here: The emotional brain and decision making

 

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