As history unfolds, as cultures evolve, of course the intelligences which they value change.

Howard Gardner’s quote reflects the evolving nature of culture and how it shapes the kinds of intelligences valued by society. As history progresses and societies develop, the qualities that are seen as essential for success or leadership also shift. Gardner points out that the idea of intelligence is not static, but rather, it changes depending on the needs, values, and challenges of the time.

The quote highlights how different cultures throughout history have prioritized various forms of intelligence. For example, in earlier times, physical strength or warfare skills might have been highly valued, while in more modern societies, intellectual or emotional intelligence could take precedence. Gardner's insight suggests that the way we define intelligence is not universal but is shaped by the context of the time and place in which it is assessed.

The origin of this quote can be found within Howard Gardner's work on the theory of multiple intelligences, which he introduced in his 1983 book, Frames of Mind. Gardner challenged the traditional notion of intelligence, which was often measured through standardized IQ tests, and instead proposed that there are many different kinds of intelligences, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, and others. This theory reshaped how we think about education and human potential.

Gardner’s assertion that as cultures evolve, so too do the intelligences they value, encourages a more nuanced view of intelligence and how it is shaped by social and historical circumstances. It calls attention to the fact that what a society deems as important today may be vastly different in the future as needs and values change.