The Five Measurements of Societal Intelligence

Novaughn Miller

10/04/23

Purpose:

To measure the intelligence of one society against another. This gives us the ability to see how indicators of societal intellect must be improved to advance society in the future. This also gives us an indicator of how one society stacks up against another in a similar time period.

Considerations for Measure of Intelligence:

• Physical Health
• Technology 
• Belief Systems
• Architecture 
• Governing Structure 

Definitions:

Physical Health- Life expectancy for an individual living in a society. Information historically has been best passed onto future generations when individuals have longer lives. 

Technology- This includes inventions and innovations that improve the lives of those living within a given society. For example, societies with maps were better able to traverse mapped areas than those that did not.

Belief Systems- These would be the most common guides a society leans on to judge morals and ethics. For example, religious beliefs, constitutions, philosophies.

Architecture- The art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. How long these structures stand/stood the test of time, their functionality, aesthetic, and cultural significance all play a part in measuring a society’s architectural ability.

Governing Structure- The system in which a society is governed. Whether this be through a democratic system, monarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, etc. The wellness of individuals living in this society, as well as the fairness of individuality, would be the determining factors of a successful or unsuccessful governance structure. 

Application: While measurement of these factors does not exist in a way that can be stated in a definite way, these factors should guide a logical individual to a conclusion on social intelligence. While it is difficult to make definitive statements about the intelligence of a particular society based on any one factor, these factors together help approximate such a measurement.. 

Considering factors such as lifespan, technology, architecture, belief systems, and governing systems can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the intelligence level of a society. However, it is important to recognize that intelligence is a complex and multi-faceted concept that cannot be captured by any one factor alone. Therefore, a holistic approach that considers multiple factors can help provide a more complete understanding of intelligence at a societal level…