Discussion on Effort and Intelligence

From Philosophy for Kids, Question #3 -- Confucius: Should you be rewarded for your efforts in school?

1. What do you think Confucius is assuming about intelligence and also about the relation between effort and intelligence?

Dash: I think Confucius assumed that people have fixed intelligence. He assumed that no one cheats in a test. He assumed that if you put in a lot of effort, you are trying very hard to get the answer, therefore, you don't know the answer and have lower intelligence.

Mom: I think hard work can lead to high intelligence and that Confucius assumed effort and intelligence are two separate qualities and do not co-exist in one person.

A. Does intelligence vary from person to person?
Dash: Intelligence varies from person to person. But people can become smarter.
Mom: Agree.

B. Does one person's intelligence vary from subject to subject?
Dash: Yes. But you can improve if you study hard for that subject.
Mom: Agree.

C.Can intelligence increase, or does it remain the same?
Dash:. Yes., it can increase.
Mom: Agree.

2. Why should effort be rewarded?
Dash: You should reward effort because if you try hard, you can become smarter.
Mom: Doesn't that mean you are rewarding intelligence?
Dash: Effort begets intelligence.