Intelligence is a highly sought after trait in this modern day and age. However, some groups of people are under the impression that intelligence is an inherited trait, while others oppose this view, stating that intelligence is a factor of one’s environment. Both sides have valid points and I will discuss them in this essay.
To start off, the most intelligent people are known to have at least 1 parent with a high IQ (Intelligence Quotient). This can be seen in people like Albert Einstein who went on to have two brilliant children, who also pursued the sciences. Furthermore, it is a commonly known fact that children of parents who have certain extraordinary talents or skills, tend to display similar abilities early on, for instance, musicians like Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Ray Cyrus. These children exhibit traits similar to that of their parents, and although artistic prowess may not always be recognized as a sign of a high IQ, it shows that talent can be inherited, and as such, so can intelligence.
On the other hand, certain people are of the contrary opinion that, intelligence is a factor of one’s immediate environment. The scientific debate “Nurture vs Nature” has argued this topic for years, as evidence has shown that seemingly intelligent people who are placed in poorly stimulating academic environments, do not excel as well as people with average IQs who are nurtured in highly stimulating academic climes. A child with a high IQ may fail to adequately express it, if he/she has no motivation to be outstanding.
Overall, I believe nature(genetics) and nurture(environment) play a symbiotic role in allowing an individual develop, hone, and express their intelligence.