There is much debate about the nature of intelligence, particularly in the context of machine learning, but intelligence is only one piece of a much larger cognitive puzzle. If intelligence consists of the adaptive tools we use to solve problems, then we must also consider the skill of ***problem finding***. Some problems announce themselves loudly—like a flat tire or a mobile phone dropped in the toilet. Others remain hidden until they are discovered. Before Italian anatomist Filippo Pacini’s publications in 1854, no one could cure cholera—because no one knew that microscopic bacteria were the cause. Before a problem can be solved, it must first be found. This is no trivial matter and is often overlooked. Problem finding is fundamentally different from problem solving. It is ***exploratory*** rather than goal-directed and often leads to discoveries that are necessarily ***accidental***. A more fitting term might be ***problem discovery***. The accidental nature of such discoveries is key—if someone already knew what they were looking for, then they weren’t discovering a problem but searching for a solution to an existing one. Dutch draper Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, for instance, improved microscopes in the 1670s to examine textile fibers more closely, but in doing so, he stumbled upon unicellular life. In trying to solve a technical issue in one domain, he inadvertently uncovered an entirely new scientific field. Fortunately for all of us. Beyond intelligence, there is ***reasoning***. While often conflated with logic, reasoning encompasses much more. It involves deducing or inducing conclusions from general principles and critically analyzing large amounts of information to form sound judgments. If intelligence is problem-solving, then reason is the ability to make sense of the world. Instead of mere logic, this aligns with John Vervaeke’s concept of ***Recursive Relevance Realization*** (RRR), which describes three interwoven aspects of cognition: [^1] >***Relevance realization.*** Cognitive processes like attention, perception, memory, abstraction, inference, and emotion work together to identify and interpret patterns in the environment. These processes create mental models that allow us to make sense of experience. > >***Complexification.*** Identified patterns are refined and scaffolded into increasingly sophisticated models of the world. This iterative process enables nuanced representations of reality, incorporating relationships, feedback loops, and predictive elements. As new information is encountered, these models evolve and grow in complexity. > >***Self-transcendence.*** The mind expands its understanding beyond its current limits. On an individual level, self-transcendence means going beyond personal biases, integrating diverse perspectives, and challenging assumptions. It involves drawing insights from different fields—science, art, spirituality—to form a broader and deeper understanding. On a collective level, it means engaging with ideas outside one’s cultural or societal framework, recognizing interconnectivity, and embracing a global perspective. Within this framework, ***intelligence*** provides the toolset for problem-solving, ***reason*** determines which tools to use and when, and ***wisdom*** transcends personal limitations, offering a meta-perspective that integrates knowledge across time, culture, and disciplines. If wisdom exists, it must encompass emotional intelligence, long-term thinking, ethical judgment, and self-discipline—forming a higher-order cognition that sees beyond immediate concerns. It is the capacity to hold multiple perspectives simultaneously, recognizing both their merits and limitations, while maintaining intellectual humility. Wisdom involves balancing intuition with rational analysis, weighing past experiences against present circumstances, and integrating ethical considerations into decision-making. It allows for adaptability, helping individuals and societies navigate uncertainty with foresight rather than mere reaction. Like perfection, perhaps wisdom is something that can be pursued but never fully attained. By that definition, the truly wise would never claim to be so, while anyone who proclaims their own wisdom is almost certainly a charlatan. [[Metaphysics|Next section]] ___ [^1]: Vervaeke, John & Lillicrap, Timothy & Richards, Blake. (2012). Relevance Realization and the Emerging Framework in Cognitive Science. J. Log. Comput.. 22. 79-99. 10.1093/logcom/exp067. [link](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/220387969_Relevance_Realization_and_the_Emerging_Framework_in_Cognitive_Science)