Luis Alberto Machado (1932–2016) was a Venezuelan lawyer, author, and politician known for his groundbreaking ideas on the malleability of intelligence. He argued that intelligence is not fixed but can be developed through education and environmental stimulation, shaping global discussions on cognitive development. His ideas influenced thinkers such as Edward de Bono, Martin Seligman, and Robert Sternberg.
Born in Caracas, Machado studied law and entered politics, serving as Secretary of the Presidency (1969–74) under Rafael Caldera. He later became Venezuela’s Minister of Intellectual Development (1979–84,) a role created to implement his theories on intelligence. His initiatives aimed to expand education and promote intellectual growth but were discontinued in 1984.
Machado authored influential works, including Afirmación frente al marxismo (1962,) El pueblo de Dios en marcha (1965,) La revolución de la inteligencia (1975,) and El derecho de ser inteligente (1978,) later translated into English (1980.) His writings emphasized fostering intelligence through structured learning and social policies.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Luis Alberto Machado
The level of the development of a country is determined, in considerable part, by the level of development of its people’s intelligence.
—Luis Alberto Machado
Topics: Intelligence, Intellectuals
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