Integrating intelligence theory with philosophy: introduction to the special issue

Abstract

The purpose of this Special Issue is to integrate intelligence theory within philosophy, an amalgamation absent from prior collective efforts to provide intelligence studies with a complete theoretical dimension. This integration is crucial, as not only is philosophy unavoidable, in its focus on first order knowledge, but in its absence intelligence theory is diminished. The special issue intends to amplify the theoretical endeavour of intelligence studies to the betterment of the exploration of conceptual as well as empirical spaces in intelligence as a field and phenomenon. By integrating intelligence theory into philosophy and creating branch of philosophy concerning itself with the nature and purpose of intelligence, as well as its foundations and implications, the field immediately benefits from that discipline's rich and expansive diachronic debates, concepts, and skills. As a modern discipline intelligence study did not develop a branch of philosophy as found with more traditional fields (i.e. the philosophy of law,education, science and so on). As such, the discipline rests upon several embedded foundational truisms and assumptions that go uncontested. The integrating of intelligence theory into philosophy will elevate the pursuit of knowledge on intelligence and ensure an ongoing conversation to the enrichment of the study of intelligence.