What Is Existential Intelligence?

For a long time, our society only valued logical-mathematical intelligence, making it harder for those who did not fall into this area to succeed. Lucky, Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences introduced that there are different types of intelligence.

Existential intelligence, which is one of the types of intelligence from Gardner’s theory, is the intelligence of big picture thinking. Precisely, the existential intelligence definition is the “capacity or ability of an individual to understand and contemplate philosophical topics relating to mankind’s existence.”

In this blog, we’ve aimed to break down the details of existential intelligence. In this way, you will understand how different types of intelligence affect a kid’s characteristics, cognitive skills, and interests. If you're wondering, " What is existential intelligence? " then keep on reading for more details!

Before moving on to existential intelligence, let's start with the basics and learn the different types of intelligence from this theory. Along with existential intelligence, Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences includes nine types of intelligence:

• Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence
• Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
• Musical Intelligence
• Interpersonal Intelligence
• Naturalistic Intelligence
• Intrapersonal Intelligence
• Spatial Intelligence

The theory of multiple intelligences was designed to explain different types of learning modalities. By understanding the theory, you can define your kid’s strengths and develop learning plans accordingly.

Existential Intelligence Test

Existential or spiritual intelligence is a rare form of intelligence. But like any skill, it can be tested and improved with practice. If you want to improve your kid’s existential intelligence, you can use fun and educational games of MentalUP.

MentalUP is ready to develop logic, attention, memory, visual and verbal skills of kids with the best exercises. These tests support kids’ existential intelligence and other intelligence types as well.

Characteristics of Existential Intelligence

In terms of someone’s characteristics, intelligence is the key determining factor. Thus, to help kids improve their skills and abilities in the right way, it is essential to find out a kid's intelligence type and support them accordingly.

The biggest characteristic of kids with high existential intelligence comes from their ability to see the big picture. These kids have a great understanding of seeing the world as a whole. So they go beyond the physical senses to explain themselves and understand the world around them.

Kids with existential intelligence characteristics might be great team leaders as they are good at giving advice. In addition to that, they might enjoy looking at things from different points of view.

Existential Intelligence Examples

This type of intelligence involves being concerned with ultimate issues and thinking about abstract concepts and ideas that go beyond what is visible or audible. Thus, kids with existential intelligence might be good at thinking philosophically.

Let’s explain these kids’ characteristics with some examples from their daily routines:

• These kids enjoy writing journals and communicating with others about how they spend their time.
• They like to help people or animals and are eager to participate in charity activities.
• They easily communicate with their peers and enjoy discussing intangible things.

Along with these, kids with existential intelligence typically ask deep questions about human existence and life. These questions might include:

If you catch your kid asking these questions throughout the day, that might mean their existential intelligence is high. In this situation, it is best to encourage your kids about their questions and help them find answers.

7 Activities to Improve Existential Intelligence

Existential or spiritual intelligence helps kids understand the world as a whole and explain the meaning of life around them. Thus, whether your kids have high existential intelligence or not, it is essential to support them with existential intelligence activities to help them develop existential skills.

1. Play the Big Questions Game

The big questions game is a simple game that can be played as a family or as a small class. This game helps kids think deeply about complex topics and understand different points of view.

To play this game, all you need to do is sit in a circle and have a notebook and pen handy. Then you can ask existential questions to the whole group and have them share their answers during the game.

2. Play MentalUP

MentalUP offers unlimited advantages for kids with existential intelligence!

To develop their memory, attention, logic, visual and language skills, play MentalUP’s customized daily plans. This way, kids can start discovering their true potential which they feel very curious about it.

From matching games to puzzles, counting games to car racing, MentalUP includes a variety of learning games to improve your kid's skills like concentration, time management, hand-eye coordination and more effortlessly.

Help the Animals

Spending time with animals helps kids understand the importance of animals on a larger scale and see how each small person can make a big impact.

To support kids' existential intelligence with animal interactions, you can have them participate in charity activities, raise and release monarch butterflies or adopt a pet that needs help. Making them learn with animal games for kids can be also beneficial.

4. Complete a Puzzle Hunt

Going on a puzzle hunt allows kids to practice problem-solving skills in a tangible way and teaches them to work as a team.

Puzzle hunt introduces the concept of small pieces making one big picture. This makes it one of the most beneficial games to improve kids' existential skills.

5. Read Books in Different Languages

For upper elementary kids, reading books in different languages is one of the most effective existential intelligence activities to improve their ability to see the big picture.

By including this activity in your kid’s daily routine, you can help them have a broader worldview.

6. Play History Games

History games help kids learn how to spot patterns in behavior across time and locations. In addition to that, this activity, which is among the best group games for kids, allows kids to build a healthy competitive attitude, develop certain problem-solving skills, and gain the ability to respond to situations.

Thus, you can include different kinds of history games in your kid’s daily activities to help them improve both existential and memory skills.

7. Spend Time in Nature

Nature is a giant, open-ended learning laboratory for kids. Thus, interacting with natural environments allows kids to learn by doing and experimenting with ideas.

Nature provides countless opportunities from which kids can benefit. By spending time in nature with your kids, you can help them improve both their existential and creative thinking skills. Also, you can make this experience more interesting by discovering the best imagination games for kids to play outside!

4 Famous Person with Existential Intelligence

Existential or spiritual intelligence is about an interest in questioning life, death, and beyond. Most famous major figures in history are those who have high existential intelligence.

Most famous people with existential intelligence spend their life as theologists or philosophers and become famous for the ideas that they propose, including:

1. Socrates: Greek philosopher Socrates is credited as the founder of Western philosophy. He was among the first philosophers of the ethical tradition of thought.
2. Buddha: Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. He spent his life as an ascetic and spiritual teacher in South Asia.
3. St. Augustine: Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian and philosopher. He adapted classical thought to Christian teaching and created a powerful theological system.
4. Jesus Christ: Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He spent his life as a religious leader for Christianity.

Existential Intelligence Careers

Characteristics determine people’s interests, abilities, strengths, and talents. Considering that intelligence is the most essential factor to constitute someone’s characteristics, it is best for parents to find out their kid’s intelligence type and lead them through possible jobs.

It is clear that people with high existential intelligence are best at philosophical thinking. Thus, possible existential intelligence jobs for these kids are:

• Pastor
• Meditation instructor
• Yoga instructor
• Psychic
• Pastoral counselor
• Chaplain
• Public speaker
• Philosopher

At this point, you have learned everything you need to know about existential or spiritual intelligence. Now it’s time to discover your kid’s potential and support them in improving their intellectual skills. Good luck!