Douglas R. Hofstadter has stated:
We should try to formulate in some independent way a set of Such characteristics which deserve the name "intelligence."
characteristics would constitute the uniform core of intelligence shared by humans. At this point in history we do not yet have a well defined list of those characteristics.... [T]here may be some elegant and beautiful--and perhaps even simple--abstract ways of characterizing the essence of intelligence.... And of course, if
contact were established with an alien civilization from another star system, we would feel supported in our belief that our own type of intelligence is not just a fluke, but an example of a basic form
which reappears in nature in diverse contexts, like stars and uranium nuclei. This in turn would support the idea of meaning being an inherent property. (Ref. 1.1)
That is mainly what this book is about: a serious attempt to formulate an accurate description of intelligence by identifying its "characteristics" or properties. These properties will be examined from as many different points of view as is possible, and will not only be applied to humans but to all other aspects of our existence where merited. There is an "elegant and beautiful--and perhaps even simple" way to characterize the
"essence of intelligence." We will examine the evidence which strongly suggests that "intelligence is not just a fluke," but rather "an example of a basic form which reappears in nature in diverse contexts, like stars and uranium nuclei."
The Integrated Theory of Intelligence represents a relatively
comprehensive view of intelligence and consciousness, and the way that both relate to the rest of our material existence. Although the basis of this work originated from a peak experience, as defined by Abraham Maslow, it is being presented within the framework of scientific theory and wishes to be judged from that viewpoint. An attempt has been made to support any philosophical concepts with valid scientific data, at least as much as possible. Certain ideas presented have not yet been
scientifically validated, but should in time be testable.
This work should be of greatest interest to those individuals who have experienced altered states of consciousness, have had a peak experience, or consider themselves to be self-actualizing persons, again as defined by Maslow. It is probable that those whose experience fits into one or all of these categories will be among the first to understand and accept the relevance of this work.
The central theme of this book began as a rather lengthy article, but it quickly became apparent that the concepts being presented would
require much more discussion and verification than space allowed in the original draft. There was also no discussion about the origin of the
theory, which I believe is at least as important as the theory itself. The exclusion of this information was based on a conscious decision because of a concern that this knowledge would bias the reader in their judgment of the theory. However, since the original article was written in 1984, I have encountered in the scientific literature enough discussion of peak experiences and how they might relate to the synthesis of higher-order concepts and enhanced creativity, that I now believe this is essential information and must be shared.
Peak experience has already been discussed in some detail in the preface. It will be correlated with other types of altered states of
consciousness and will also give some insight into how the mind works
creatively. Hopefully it will also provide a road map showing how one might actively increase his or her own creative powers. This is the first scientifically oriented theory to my knowledge that is being represented as the outcome of a peak experience.
To have a peak experience is unquestionably the most profound experience that a person can have during their life, with the possible exception of a near-death experience, which is probably very close to being the same thing. Each results in a dramatic transformation of one's life because of the exceedingly strong and compelling impact that it has.
I have not had a near-death experience, but descriptions I have read of them reveal similarities to P.E. that are much more profound than the differences. Peak experiences are rather commonplace since many people have now experienced one or more of them. (Ref. 1.2) How does one know if he or she has had a peak experience? The only answer I can give is that if you have to ask yourself that question, then whatever
experience you are wondering about wasn't a peak experience. By definition, part of the peak experience is the perception that you were temporarily transformed into a much higher state of being and
consciousness. You have not one shred of doubt that it happened and that it was valid. It should also correlate with Maslow's criteria for a peak experience.
P.E. must be evaluated separately and not equated to other "psychic"
experiences such as OBE (out-of-body experience), past-life or age regression, ESP, intrauterine memories, and so on, all of which are seriously disputed by scientific research. This does not necessarily rule out the possibility that they are valid--as they are invariably perceived to be by those who experience them--but only that they have not to date withstood scientific scrutiny. Each type of experience must be judged individually on the basis of its content and the information perceived. It should also be stated, however, that the majority of psychic experiences would appear to represent hallucinations, many originating in FPPs (Fantasy-Prone Personalities).
Any individual who has had a psychic experience is invariably
absolutely convinced of the reality of the event. It would seem to be as real as anything experienced during ordinary consciousness.
There are alternative explanations which have been suggested for the various types of psychic experiences. For example, it has been found that electrical stimulation of the temporal lobes during neurosurgery can produce dreamy, aura-like effects, deja vu, awe, OBE, extremely lifelike hallucinations, perception of intense meaningfulness, convictions of cosmic consciousness and peak experiences. (Ref. 1.3) There is also
evidence that these same types of phenomena might be triggered by "the chemical consequences of personal crisis, anxiety, hypoxia,
hypoglycemia, and fatigue." (Persinger, 1983.) (Ref. 1.4)
There would in fact appear to be marked similarities between psychic experiences which can be artificially induced, or caused by certain disease states, and those which have been perceived to be mystical in origin. The question has been posed, how does one differentiate "real transcendence" from the various neuropathies that produce the same extreme realness, profundity, ineffability and sense of cosmic unity? (Ref. 1.5)
In developing the Integrated Theory of Intelligence, I have not so much attempted to establish the ultimate source of P.E. as to determine
whether the information, insight and understanding gained is valid.
Prior to my having a peak experience I had never heard the term nor had any knowledge of it. I had read about near-death experiences several years before, but that is as close as I had come. Neither was I familiar with the various altered states of consciousness that one might
experience. It was only because of the exceedingly profound effect that the peak experience had upon me that I was stimulated to explain and understand it. To say that it has completely changed my life is not an
overstatement. It has led me in several different directions, not the least of which is the generation of this book.
Soon after having had the peak experience, I described the event as best I could to a friend, Lloyd Campbell, a practicing psychologist. He
directed me to the works of Abraham Maslow. I began by reading several of Maslow's books. This in itself was a profound experience in that as I began to read, I felt as if I knew what he was going to say before he said it. There was no doubt in my mind that what I had
experienced was exactly what Maslow described. It was also clear to me that the only way he could be so perfect in his eloquence on the subject was that he had experienced at least one P.E. himself.
Although the theory is not yet complete, I believe it to be far enough along at this time for public presentation and scientific scrutiny. Given time, the theory will eventually be expanded by myself and hopefully others. I choose to publish it now to begin the process of debate.
The theory interrelates concepts from virtually every scientific discipline and merges current teachings of many prominent leaders in each field.
Even though my peak experience was something that undeniably
occurred, it is still necessary to constantly question the concepts gained.
Even though I am now certain that a substantial increase in our
knowledge of reality can be obtained in non-scientifically recognized ways, I believe that any new concept still must be scientifically
validated to the greatest extent possible. Science in general has tended to ignore the presence of consciousness and how it relates to the more
measurable aspects of our material existence. As others have stated more eloquently than I, it is time that all fields of science recognize the
existence of intelligence and consciousness, and devise ways to integrate them with our physical concepts.
The greatest challenge I have faced in putting this material together has been to find a way, by means of metaphor and previously established verbal expression, to present each concept in comprehensible fashion.
Although much of the beauty of this theory is in its comprehensive
nature and the way all parts of it interrelate, the presentation may appear somewhat fragmented. The more understanding the reader already has of the various concepts discussed, the easier it will be to integrate the theory. I have liberally used the words of others in this text and have tried to give credit when due. I chose to do this for two reasons. First, I believe that it gives the work greater credibility; and second, the
individual writer often expressed the concept more cogently than I
would have been capable of doing. The higher-level understanding that I achieved during the peak experience was totally nonverbal, and I have put forth a great deal of effort to expand my vocabulary for the purpose of expression. Even so, the result remains incomplete. A great deal of the information gained during the peak experience has been lost to
conscious memory. Hopefully it still resides in unconscious memory and is yet retrievable. As already indicated, most all of the present text was initially lost to conscious memory, but was brought back very
laboriously over an extended period of time through introspective meditation.
Even though a great deal of the understanding that I achieved during the initial peak experience was new to me at the time, in reading the
literature it became apparent only a few of the concepts gained are likely pristine. The beauty of the theory lies in the way that the various
concepts integrate into the whole, and even more importantly, the way in which the theory was obtained.
I believe that the study of this theory gives science a unique opportunity to validate peak experience as a legitimate means for acquiring creative, insightful, higher-order concepts. There are those who already accept this to be true. Although peak experiences are usually spontaneous, there are apparently a variety of ways which can be utilized to facilitate the
onset of one. If this process can be harnessed, the implications stagger the imagination. It potentially provides a way for the continued non–
linear evolution of intelligence and consciousness. It is of utmost
importance to determine whether or not higher-order reality concepts not available to ordinary consciousness can in fact be obtained during
altered states of consciousness, thus allowing rather ordinary people to achieve extraordinary progress in whatever direction they might choose.
Go To Table of Contents