Analyzing Character: The New Science of Judging Men; Misfits in Business, the Home and Social LifeBlackford, Katherine M. H. (Katherine Melvina Huntsinger)
Science
Analyzing Character: The New Science of Judging Men; Misfits in Business, the Home and Social Life
Blackford, Katherine M. H. (Katherine Melvina Huntsinger)
Characters and characteristics; Success
People can also be divided, intellectually, into two other classes, the
theoretical and the practical. The man with a theoretical intellect is
thoughtful, meditative, reflective. His mind works slowly; it is
interested in philosophy, in theories, in abstractions, and is capable of
dealing with them. On the other hand, it is not particularly well
qualified for observing practical things, and for making a practical
application of the theories it learns so easily and in which it takes so
great an interest. This is the intellect of the philosopher, the dreamer,
the educator, the preacher, the writer, the reformer, the poet. This is
particularly the intellect of reason, of logic, of ideas and ideals.
Whether found amongst the world's leaders or in the lowliest walks of
life, its function is always that of dealing with theory, finding out
reasons, putting together logical arguments, teaching others and dealing
with abstractions. Oftentimes this type of intellect is so impractical
that its possessor never possesses anything else. Literature abounds in
the tragic tales of philosophers, poets, reformers, and dreamers who
starved beautifully and nobly. Every-day life sees thousands more
blundering along, either cursing their luck or wondering why Providence
withholds its material gifts from people so deserving as they.
Over against this is the practical, matter-of-fact, analytical
intellect--the intellect which demands facts and demands them quickly; the
intellect which is quick in its operations, impatient, keen, penetrating,
intolerant of mere theories and abstractions, not particularly strong in
reason and logic, but exceedingly keen and discriminating in regard to the
facts. This is the intellect which deals with things, with the material
universe, with laws and principles, based upon accurately determined
facts. This is the intellect of the preeminently practical man.
Some intellects are particularly fine in critical powers; some have
splendid financial ability; some are artistic and musical; some have
almost miraculous instinct in mechanical affairs; some are scientific;
others are mechanical; still others are inventive. There are many
intellects, of course, which combine two or more of these qualities, as,
for instance, an intellect blessed with both financial and organizing
ability. This is the intellect of the captain of industry, of the
multi-millionaire. Then there is the intellect which combines financial,
inventive, and organizing ability. This is the intellect of Edison, of
Westinghouse, of Curtis, of the Wright brothers, of Marconi, and of Cyrus
McCormick. Herbert Spencer was blessed with an intellect capable of both
philosophic and scientific thought, both theoretical and practical.
Spencer had also great organizing ability, but he devoted it to the
organizing of a system of philosophy based upon his scientific researches.
EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
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