So who is the smartest ? @ learning theories

In a course on theories of learning and cognition, Cunningham (1992) used to pose the question, “Who is the smartest person you know, and why?” Under Cunningham’s facilitation, students respond in turn from their own point of view.

I found Cunningham’s experiment to be incredibly intriguing, so I decided to conduct a similar one on Instagram.

Among ten answers:

• Three respondents requested immediate context or clarification, asserting that there will be smart individuals in this field but not in others.

• Two of them responded to God or Buddha.

• One respondent stated that no one is the smartest due to the infinity of knowledge.
  
• Three others mentioned a colleague or a friend with whom they have been working or studying.

Their responses are undeniable evidence of the concept of personal epistemologies and how it may alter or influence their approach towards learning.

And if I trace their responses back to epistemological concepts, 

• One who seeks elaboration may believe that the content of knowledge has significance only in relation to a particular context, also known as Contextualism.

• One that stated a Creator may believe that all things in the world can be known, also known as Realism.

• One who asserts that no one is the smartest must believe that the world may not be “known” at all, in other words, Skepticism

• One who mentioned a colleague or friend with whom they shared the exposure may have a tendency to view knowledge in terms of its practical applications as tested by their own experience, which is consistent with Pragmatism.

• And while Idealism or the belief that knowledge consists of ideas and representations of reality are absent from the answer, I would guess that a great billionaire, such as Elon Musk, a prime minister, or a scientist would be the answer for one who have this belief.

So, eventually, who is the most intelligent?

We might have our own answer, or there might be no answer at all.

After pursuing a master’s degree in the state, I began to adopt the worldview that there is no right or wrong; rather, one’s thinking determines whether something is right or wrong.

Eventually, it is important to take note of our own thinking, but also to welcome other ways of thinking into our lives and embrace this diversity. Diversity is important not only at the level of the individual but also at the level of the organization, because innovation occurs when disciplines and ideas intersect (Medici Effect).