‘The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.’ – Albert Einstein

Is it? 

Intelligence has been analysed and measured by man in several dimensions, giving rise to variants like interpersonal intelligence, naturalistic intelligence, spatial intelligence etc; each focusing a facet of our responses to given ecosystems and these intelligences have been measured through varied quotients. 

When considering whether ‘ability to change’ underlies these responses, the path of evolution points to a thumping ‘Yes’. 

After all, life over millennia has continued to change from the hominin ancestor to the present homo sapiens by ‘choosing paths’, that is, adapting as per requirements in a bid for survival. 

Yet, one can argue that the most marked change biologically was brought about by the most ‘unintelligent’ species over the course of millennia in a process we would later call ‘evolution’. Thus, it would be fair to ask that if the measure of intelligence is the ability to change, then why were the most significant series of changes brought about by beings we now refer to as ‘unintelligent’? Food for thought. 

Even in our routine lives today let’s consider the case of any two people. The difference in their approaches to everyday problem solving and adaptation of behaviour to their dynamic external environment will tip the scales in favour of whoever may be deemed ‘more intelligent’ than the other. And rightly so. The fact that a person who can identify, assess, question and adapt to changes will do better intellectually and practically, needs no elaboration. 

At any rate, it is unequivocal - and don’t let the banality of the phrase repel you, that change is the only constant. It was change that brought life from a place of no life. It was change that birthed a universe from a place of chaos. This ubiquitous change from an infinitesimal scale to a cosmic one indicates the presence of a larger constant being. 

I would like to quote James Ray from The Secret, 

You go to a quantum physicist and you say “What creates the world?” and they will say, “Energy. It can never be created or destroyed. It always was, always has been. Everything that ever existed always exists, it’s moving into form, through form and out of form.” 

You go to a theologian and ask “What created the universe?” and they will say, “God. Always was and always has been, never can be created or destroyed. All that ever was, always will be. Always moving into form, through form and out of form.” 

Whichever line of belief you may subscribe to, this brings a realisation that our intelligence is in reality marked by the ability to change, and more importantly in our ability to recognize the Immeasurable and Unchangeable underlying the seas of change we waft in.