The Intelligence of Spiritual Intelligence: Making the Case

Abstract

Spiritual Intelligence (SI) is the ability to draw on and embody spiritual qualities and resources to enhance daily functioning and wellbeing. Despite Gardner’s rejection of SI, the proliferation of SI models and research supporting the advantages of SI across a wide field of endeavors, and correlation with neurological structures and genetic indicators strongly support its validity as an intelligence. This article reviewed key models of SI, and studies supporting its adaptability and biological correlates. Puzzling results in some areas warrant exploration, especially the degree to which various models converge and the extent to which a single SI model may be truly universal.