In 1936, F. Scott Fitzgerald claimed that it is “… the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” On analysis, one can see that this quote is rather flawed and that there is in fact a lot of evidence to support the opposition. One must first consider the man behind the quote, and its application, relevance and impact on his life. It should also be noted that this way of thinking can be counterproductive –and therefore not conducive with first-rate intelligence. This notion, along with others, is an anti-example which contradict Fitzgerald’s theory. Furthermore, first-rate intelligence is an attribute that can be acquired, rather than something one is born with.
In order to understand this quote, one must first be aware of the autobiographical context in which Fitzgerald was using it. The quote first appeared in an article in Esquire magazine, called The Crack-Up where Fitzgerald discusses his “…physical, emotional, and spiritual breakdown…” (eNotes, 2012). He continued to say, “One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.” (Fitzgerald 1936, p. 3). When considering the miserable outcome of Fitzgerald’s life, one can see the irony of this statement. It also becomes evident that the entire foundation of this theory was a disillusion, or at very least, a very inaccurate prediction. Fitzgerald was a dysfunctional alcoholic, had a failed marriage, many failed literary works and died alone, believing himself a failure (University of South Carolina, 2003). It seems that the ability to function whilst possessing two opposing ideas (that is, composing one’s own conclusion from two other premises) is futile without further action, and might be more usefully referred to as (dys)functional schizophrenia. Thus,