Is it possible to be too smart?

Exercise

In the context of Evolutionary Biology, it has been said that “Evolution is about ends, not means; becoming smart is just one option” (Pinker, 1997, p. 153). Do you think this sentence is also applicable to the development of a professional career? How? Is it applicable to the specialization of human capital? Are perhaps human beings becoming more productive but less smart as a consequence of specialization?

Analysis

To ‘become smart’ you may, for instance, get very good technical education. However, in doing so, you may sacrifice other highly productive abilities, such as sociability or so-called emotional intelligence.



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