A possible definition of intelligence.
Bio Systems May 1, 2026 Marko Vitas, Srdjan Cvjetović, Andrej Dobovišek
There is no consensus on what consciousness and intelligence are, but this article proposes a new definition of intelligence grounded in thermodynamics, describing it as a far-from-equilibrium phenomenon. The definition is minimal yet general, covering thinking, rationality, problem-solving, and adaptation. It states that intelligence, as an emergent property of consciousness, is the ability to intentionally solve challenges and adapt to new situations and an ever-changing environment. This definition may be relevant to cognitive and computer sciences, space exploration, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, artificial intelligence, and philosophy.