Intelligence
A Trait for Characters
Intelligence is the unary trait of the character's mind. Like all traits, it is a Developmental Object? and derives its periodicity from that class. It corresponds to the wisdom trait for covenant objects.
Philosophy is written in this grand book, the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze, but the book cannot be understood unless one first learns to comprehend the language and read the letters in which it it is composed. It is written in the language of mathematics, and its characters are . . . geometric figures without which it is inhumanly possible to understand a single word of it; without these, one wanders about as if in a dark labyrinth.
— Galileo, as quoted in The Order of Reason
Intelligence is based on the character's mind statistics and enables the use of stories which are known by the character (as opposed to those lived by the character). Higher levels of intelligence reflect a greater diversity of stories available to the character, as well as the ability to hold more active stories at once.
Note that intelligence is also used in conjunction with skills (see die rolls) which may be associated with it. Some tasks associated with these skills may use intelligence as a part of the determination of success. And many of the tasks associated directly with intelligence (see below) may be autonomic tasks? which are triggered automatically by outside stimulus.
Another consequence is that some tasks (such as adopt role?) may be aliased to tasks from skills which use them. For instance, the task adopt role may be triggered by the task guard?, which might be initiated by someone who issues the command "guard door." Whatever skill contains the guard task (probably more than one -- combat, for instance) would know that the guard task requires the adopt role? task be triggered with whatever stories make up the "guard" role loaded into the AI of the guard (with the "door" being substituted into those stories as the "object to be guarded").
Notes from discussion of story and AIs as they relate to intelligence.
Some of the things which an !AI might need from the intelligence are:
- Diversity of story
- number of stories in a role
- number of roles active at a time
- Ease with which roles can be changed
- Degree stories can be combined into a branching tree for case-based intelligence to follow
- Degree to which character can abstract stories for use in other situations
For the purposes of the above discussion, we are defining a "role" to be the kind of object described by Francisco Varela (represented in FaerieMUD by a group of stories).
Periods
The periods? of Intelligence represent qualitative advancements which redefine the way the character looks at hir own intelligence.
| Kegan's Equivalent | Piaget's Eras | Meaning | Period |
| Prenatal Balance | N/A | Not Yet Independent | -1 |
| Incorporative Balance | Sensimotor | Reactive | 0 |
| Impulsive Balance | Intuitive | Aware | 1 |
| Imperial Balance | Concrete Operational | Self-Absorbed | 2 |
| Interpersonal Balance | Formal Operational | Inter-Character | 3 |
| Negation Formal | |||
| Institutional Balance | Formal Operational | Organized | 4 |
| Ordered Formal | |||
| Interindividual Balance | Formal Operational | Principled | 5 |
| True Formal |
Groups
| Relation | Group Name | Emotion | Vocabulary |
| (0,-) | Group IA? | Satisfaction | Current Balance |
| (+,-) | Group IIA? | Ebulent | Current Balance |
| (+,0) | Group IIIB? | Laudatory | Previous Balance |
| (+,+) | Group IVB? | Happy | Previous Balance |
| (0,+) | Group VB? | Protective | Previous Balance |
| (-,+) | Group VIB? | Sad | Previous Balance |
| (-,0) | Group VIIB? | Angry | Previous Balance |
| (-,-) | Group VIIIB? | Belligerent | Previous Balance |
| (0,-) | Group IB? | Satisfaction | Previous Balance |
| (+,-) | Group IIB? | Ebulent | Previous Balance |
| (+,0) | Group IIIA? | Laudatory | Current Balance |
| (+,+) | Group IVA? | Happy | Current Balance |
| (0,+) | Group VA? | Protective | Current Balance |
| (-,+) | Group VIA? | Sad | Current Balance |
| (-,0) | Group VIIA? | Angry | Current Balance |
| (-,-) | Group Zero | Belligerent | Current Balance |
Eco-Relations
EcoRelations? represent the evolving relationship between subject and object in each period. For each group, the eco-relation either benefits (+), harms (-), or remains neutral to (0) the subject and object for that period. This is represented as an ordered pair, with subject listed first.
Because the Dependent Period has no distinction between self and other, EcoRelations? there have little meaning.
| Relation | Name | Manifestation |
| (0,-) | Sacrificial Satisfaction | Harms object |
| (+,-) | Evangelical Predation | Benefits subject, harms object |
| (+,0) | Commensal Laudation | Benefits subject |
| (+,+) | Symbiotic Cooperation | Benefits both |
| (0,+) | Benign Warding | Benefits object |
| (-,+) | Depressed Parasitism | Harms subject, benefits object |
| (-,0) | Angry Sadism | Harms subject |
| (-,-) | Synnecrotic Conflict | Harms both |
Sacrificial Satisfaction (0,-)
Reactive - At the beginning of the sensimotor level, the newly discovered reflexes produce a sense of satisfaction. Think of a sea slug which is poked by a sharp stick and withdraws to safety.
Aware - At the beginning of the aware level, the newly discovered awareness of perceptions produces such a sense of satisfaction in those perceptions that reflexes are ignored or deadened. Think of a sea slug which has been poked so many times it no longer reacts, but instead revels in the satisfaction knowing it is being poked and is OK.
Self-Absorbed - At the beginning of the self-absorbed level, the newly discovered ability to immerse oneself in story produces such a sense of self-satisfaction that perceptions are ignored when they contradict the story-self. Think of Don Quixote living his heroic epic so vividly that his perceptions of the windmills are sacrificed to the story of fighting giants.
Iron
Later in the self-absorbed level, introspection has allowed the self-absorbed individual to manipulate the perceptions of those who have not yet learned the power of the story. This led to an overweaning belief in the power of the self, ultimately conflicting with others in way that had to be resolved by the creation of an inner story. Satisfaction blossoms as perception is once again sacrificed (within the inner story). Think of the child after her final temper tantrum -- satisfied that the refusal to lose her temper will better influence her parents than screaming would.
Inter-Character - At the beginning of the interpersonal level, the newly discovered ability to define oneself by a group of related stories (known as a "adopting a role") produces such a sense of communal satisfaction in those shared roles that story can be changed or ignored. Think of a sixth-grader's satisfaction in knowing they rule the playground in grammar school, sacrificing the needs represented by the story of their younger selves.
Ruthenium
Later in the interpersonal level, introspection has allowed the social group to manipulate the stories of those who cannot yet combine stories into a role. The members of this group have come to rely on one another to build their roles, even though they apply those roles in other contexts, ultimately conflicting with those outside the close-knit group of peers. This conflict had to be resolved by the individual members of the peer group each realizing they had to be able create their own roles. Inner satisfaction emerges as stories are changed or ignored internally as well as part of the group. Think of the member of a junior-high clique who decides she can still be a member although she thinks of herself as an outsider.
Organized - At the beginning of the organized level, the newly discovered institutional self experiences satisfaction to extent that roles can be ignored (or even evolved) as long as one has system of roles (the institutional self itself) among which one can choose. Think of the recent MBA graduate setting up a balance in his life between his marriage, his church, his new job and his political party.
Terbium
Later in the organized level, introspection has allowed institutional self to manipulate the roles of those who still identify with a single group (which defines one specific role, of which the institutional self has many). Ultimately this led to a kind of intellectual fascism, depending solely on the control of the institution, resolved when authority itself became institutionalized and organized. Satisfaction is built as roles are compartmentalized systematically, circumscribing their power. Think of an organizational chart used by a businessman to limit the damage which can be caused by corporate nazis too enamored of the institutional ideologies of a company and its stockholders.
Principled - At the beginning of the interindividual level, the newly discovered principled self experiences intimate satisfaction as ideological extremes are smoothed into higher principles and right relationships. Think of the corporate president who retires to find a new level of intimacy with his wife and children and grandchildren.
Berkelium
Later in the interindividual level, introspection has allowed the principled self to manipulate the institutions of those who have yet to be able to give up their institutional ideologies. This led to a temptation for the principled individual to assume authority over the ideologies subscribed to by others. This is resolved through the creation of interior standards of right relationships which are more important than convincing others to accept the principles in which the intimate self believes. Satisfaction comes from the knowledge that even if followers choose erroneous ideologies, it is better that they choose them themselves. Think of Jesus after he refused the offer of the crown of Israel and of control over an army ready to rebel against Roman rule.
| Period | Subject(0) | Object(-) | Vocabulary | Element | Story |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | Lithium | Green Slime Withdraws |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | Sodium | Sea elf and slug |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Current | Potassium | Knight of Delusion |
| Previous | Copper? | The Temper of Orgatz | |||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Current | Rubidium? | Brusius in the Schoolyard |
| Previous | Silver? | Rebel with a Cause | |||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Current | Cesium? | Magus Whisterium Chooses Court |
| Previous | Gold? | Creating the Guildmasters Guild | |||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Current | Francium? | Guildmaster Kharanazt Retires |
| Previous | Unununium? | Proseus the Scholar and the Firdian Rebellion |
Evangelical Predation (+,-)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(+) | Object(-) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Current | |
| Previous | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Current | |
| Previous | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Current | |
| Previous | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Current | |
| Previous |
Commensal Laudation (+,0)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(+) | Object(0) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Previous | |
| Current |
Symbiotic Cooperation (+,+)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(+) | Object(+) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Previous | |
| Current |
Benign Warding (0,+)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(0) | Object(+) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Previous | |
| Current |
Depressed Parasitism (-,+)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(-) | Object(+) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Previous | |
| Current |
Angry Sadism (-,0)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(-) | Object(0) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Previous | |
| Current |
Synnecrotic Conflict (-,-)
Reactive -
Aware -
Self-Absorbed -
Inter-Character -
Organized -
Principled -
| Period | Subject(-) | Object(-) | Vocabulary | Example |
| Reactive | Reflexes | None | Current | |
| Aware | Perceptions | Reflexes | Current | |
| Self-Absorbed | the Story | Perceptions | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Inter-Character | the Role | the Story | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Organized | System of Roles | the Role | Previous | |
| Current | ||||
| Principled | Pure Forms | System of Roles | Previous | |
| Current |
Subjects and Objects
| Name of Period | Period | Subject | Object | |
| Dependent | -1 | None | ||
| Reactive | 0 | Reflexes | None | |
| Aware | 1 | Perceptions | Reflexes | |
| Self-Absorbed | 2 | the Story | Perceptions | |
| Inter-Character | 3 | the Role | the Story | |
| Organized | 4 | System of Roles | the Role | |
| Principled | 5 | Pure Forms | System of Roles |
Vocabularies
Seasons
Major Conflicts
| Meaning | Period | Major Conflict |
| Dependent | -1 | Birth |
| Reactive | 0 | Deadened reflexes |
| Aware | 1 | Perceptual illusions |
| Self-Absorbed | 2 | Conflicting needs |
| Inter-Character | 3 | Friends can disagree |
| Organized | 4 | Contrasting ideologies |
| Principled | 5 | Crucifixion |
Minor Conflicts
There are no minor conflicts until introspection is triggered in the self-absorbed period (Period 2).
| Meaning | Period | Minor Conflict |
| Self-Absorbed | 2 | Overweaning Belief |
| Inter-Character | 3 | Reliance on Friends |
| Organized | 4 | Appeal to Authority |
| Principled | 5 | Temptation of Authority |
Genius
Genius in intelligence is represented by an ability to abstract more general stories from related stories. It becomes effective to a limited degree after the minor crises, but it depends on the way the minor crises are resolved.
Tasks
Intelligence tasks are arranged in a periodic table. The periodic tables of the FaerieMUD world are based on the periodic table of the elements. They are used to represent all phenomena which are emergent or which seem to repeat similar patterns as they develop.
*Lanthanide Series (see first row of the Rare Earth chart below) **Actinide Series (see second row of the Rare Earth chart below)
Rare Earths
| Lanthanides | La | Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu |
| Actinides | Ac | Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Stories
The stories associated with intelligence are found in The Book of Wit which contains the stories which are linked in the EcoRelations section (above).
— Stillflame - 17 Nov 2001
— Ged The Greys Hain - 03 Nov 2001
— Stillflame - 03 Nov 2001
— Scotus - 03 Nov 2001
