The Seven Intellectual Minds Summary

* 20-21 List 5 parallels between moral and intellectual virtues. ---Cultivating the virtues is a developmental process extending through a lifetime/ Growth in the virtues is not automatic/ We are not alone on our efforts to become morally and intellectually virtuous people/ our careers as a moral and intellectual agents are enveloped in a community context/ We must work to sustain our gains in the moral and intellectual life, since regression is a real possibility/ Growing in intellectual virtue requires that we grow in moral virtues, and vice versa.---

In Virtuous Minds, Phillip Dow helps the reader understand what it means to love God with all of their minds. Dow does this by giving the reader a list of seven intellectual virtues, which can be performed in good or bad ways. Some may choose the path of cheating, arrogance, laziness, or cowardice, but Dow hopes this book will provide an option for recovering intellectual character. He splits the book into three separate parts, part one defines the seven intellectual virtues, while part two presents the awards that will come with these virtues, and finally part three provides the reader with a series of steps to reach this character.

In “A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, Howard Gardner illustrates how there are a variety of intelligences. Gardner starts off with an example how IQ tests may predict achievement in school but may not predict achievement in life. After finding out certain parts of the brain are responsible for certain functions, such as “Broca’s Area” which is responsible for sentence production, Gardner proposes the existence of multiple intelligences. Multiple studies later led him to propose seven distinct intelligences; Musical, bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Each intelligence has certain classifications. According to Gardner’s classifications, I realized my intelligences are bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, and intrapersonal.

In the second section, he outlines the principle, or cardinal virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude, which could also be termed wisdom, self-control, fairness, equity, and steadfastness. He uses the vivid illustration of an athlete, or mathematician who practices a virtue, making a shot in tennis, or solving problems till they become internalized, a part of the person who disciplined himself to perfect them.

In Aristotle's, *place name here*, book he writes an overview of virtues we need to follow in order to reach our full potential. Having knowledge of the

My third goal addresses this constant need for improvement with the philosophy that the only way to improve is through gains in knowledge and wisdom. To meet this goal, I must dive into my studies and reap all that there is to ascertain from them.

I believe that one should constantly learn and seek new skills and information since it enhances one’s understanding of the world, provide opportunities, and develop skills. Committed to learning, I am willing to spend the necessary time to cultivate my mind in the quest for knowledge and I achieved this through diligence, perseverance, discipline, and by providing the best work possible in the workplace around me. This ambition to push for excellence would be a beneficial trait to have in the future, for I still strive to put quality into everything I do, even when I do not receive any recognition or praise, and this attitude would help me make rapid strides not only in my academic career but my life overall.

The difference between "character" and 'intellect" is that character is based on moral reasoning and conduct whereas intellect is the understanding of moral reasoning and decision making. Being intelligent due to a higher education does not teach people to have strong morals in society. The application of what you learn intellectually to strengthen you character is what is important giving you a good moral standing in society and towards others. In the case study called The Disparity between Intellect and Character, Robert Coles was challenged by a sophomore who brought the realization to the professor of how intellectually people may be extremely smart but their education does not teach them how to be good citizens but depletes the content of their moral character. The difference between “character” and “intellect” is evident in how you apply your morals even though you may have a higher education. The character of a person with morals and scruples, knowing the difference between what is right and wrong is as he indicates "equated with moral conduct". The irony of the question posed by the student to Coles when she says "I've been taking these philosophy courses, and we talk about what's true, what's important and what's good. Well how do you teach people to be good? And she added "What's the point of knowing good, if you don't keep trying to become a good person." The question about character and moral reasoning is more important than the intellect which is

Solomon’s philosophy about virtue or moral courage that might apply here would be toughness. Solomon argues that “toughness is a proper sense of purpose, insulated against

achieve the maximum point of virtue, self – knowledge has a central role, as it is a prerequisite

Intellectual Integrity is being disciplined and true to one’s self along with holding others to the same standard. Having this type of virtue, one has to have the constant mind set and demeanor in order to maintain and influence others. Moreover, setting this virtue as a high priority along with maintaining will encourage others to do the same. I experience this as a leader in the military wanting and expected to maintain a high-level of integrity and I expect the same from my leaders, peers, and subordinates. Consequently, if we compromise our intellectual integrity, we become inconsistent and unconsciously contradictive; this brings mixed messages to the audiences and causes our thinking and actions to be an intellectual hypocrisy (Paul

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle explores virtues as necessary conditions for being happy. A virtuous person is a person with a disposition toward virtuous actions and who derives pleasure from behaving virtuously. Aristotle distinguishes between two types of human virtue: virtues of thought and virtues of character. Virtues of thought are acquired through learning and include virtues like wisdom and prudence; virtues of character include bravery and charity, which are acquired by habituation and require external goods to develop. As a consequence, not all people can acquire virtues of character because not all people have the external goods and resources required to develop that disposition.

Having my five top highest skills, which are Analytical Thinking, Creative Intuition, Critical Thinking, and Compassion. There are several ways I can influence others to be greater with my five skills. Firstly, as an analytical thinker, I can inspire others to have a deep reasoning thought in any situation to move from nothing to something. To be able to become a greater person in future without regretting any actions they make. Having creative thinking, I can empower others with the way I brainstorm ideas. Brainstorming in my field with positive results will enhance others/clients in taking further steps in their various professions to achieve advance standard level in everything they do. Reason is because, they will witness from me how being creative thinker can generate many ideas to tackle situations in different ways, and excel. To have creative intuition as skills will motivate others to achieve success in their respective profession by following what their hearts is telling them to do; since following and trusting self-heart is worth listening to. I can influence them to be successful by asking what they have in mind, I mean, what they really wish or want to do in future. Once they say it, supporting them to follow what they think will be the next. Empower them to take they thoughts on a vision, and set the trend themselves and not to follow the others. I can empower other to be successful in future profession with compassion. I can do that by explaining how important

One can improve their ability is by becoming more open; exposing themselves to different perspectives

Intelligence, wit, judgment, and the other talents of the mind, however they may be named, or courage, resolution, perseverance, as qualities of temperament, are undoubtedly good and desirable in many respects; but these gifts of nature may also become extremely bad and mischievous if the will which is to make use of them, and which, therefore, constitutes what is called character, is not good.