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A discussion of the role of intelligence in modern society must be keen to avoid two particular fallacies: it must not assume that intelligence is a single capacity or characteristic; and it must not assume that the exercise of intelligence will have a univocal effect throughout society. That said, the implicit reason for determining what that role is, must no doubt be that in a democratic, free, and technological society, the advance of that society is dependent on new intellectual ground broken by its members on the expanding wave-front of knowledge and development. Intelligence is a resource that can be measured in its effects, yet is as diffuse and diverse as a society's members.

From that perspective, intelligence, as a property of the members of society, is a resource that must be developed and cultivated, precisely through the advancement and success of its members. Given that from a psychological standpoint, the individual will be most productive when allowed to pursue her own ends, the sum-total of the productivity of the individuals in society is maximized when the individuals are given the choice and opportunity to follow their own interests. The role of freedom itself, both political and intellectual, as a catalyst for the fostering and utilization of intelligence, cannot be underestimated. While it would seem paradoxical to argue that allowing individuals to pursue their self-interests would be the key to harnessing intelligence in the service of modern society, the observation of its uses make this conclusion evident.

Intelligence, when viewed by its effects in itself, can be classified as either practical or theoretical: knowledge can be applied to specific ends, or it can be pursued for its own sake. These two sides both play roles in society that are interdependent; furthermore, the individual intellect, in pursuing his or her goals toward one end or the other, must be given both the opportunity to do so and must find a niche wherein that intellect can be harnessed. Because of this personal aspect, intelligence, while being potentially the most potent force in society, can become an unused and unusable resource, and also paradoxically serve as a personal liability for the individual.

In a sense, practical intelligence makes the most direct contributions to society. By practical intelligence, here, I do not merely mean science and technology, though those clearly are facets of this aspect of intelligence. Being intelligent is a multivariate potential:

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