Howard Gardner defines intelligence as a The ability to solve problems or make products that are valuable in one or more cultures. The importance of the definition of Gardner is twofold: – First, it extends the scope of what is intelligence and recognizes the we all knew intuitively, and that academic brilliance is not everything. When function in this life is not enough to have a great academic record. There are people of great intellectual capacity but unable to, for example, choose good friends and, on the contrary, people are less bright in school who are succeeding in business or personal life. – Second and no less important, Gardner defines intelligence as a capability. Until very recently, intelligence was deemed innate and unchangeable. Was born intelligent or not, and education could not change that fact. So much so that in times very close to the mentally handicapped are not educated, because they considered it a wasted effort. In defining intelligence as a capacity Gardner makes a skill that can be developed.

Gardner does not deny the genetic component. Everyone is born with a potential marked by genetics. But that potential will be developed one way or another depending on the environment, our experiences, upbringing, etc. No elite athlete reaches the top without training, however good they are their natural qualities. The same is true of mathematicians, poets, or emotionally intelligent people. The nine multiple intelligences Howard Gardner adds that just as there are many types of problems to solve, there are many types of intelligence.

To date, Gardner and his team at Harvard University have identified nine different types: logical mathematical intelligence Intelligence Linguistic Intelligence Spatial Intelligence Musical Intelligence Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Interpersonal Intelligence Intra-personal Intelligence Naturalist. Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner in schools emphasizes that all minds are equally important. The problem is that our school system does not treat them equally and has focused on the first two of the list (the mathematical – logical intelligence and linguistic intelligence) to the point of denying the existence of others. However, it appears that the proposal to UNESCO for education will change this situation, because in each and every one of the powers referred to multiple intelligences.