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ISPE General Information |
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The contemporary "Knowledge Explosion" is far from unique in human civilizations. A predecessor and counterpart had its root in early Greek civilization (circa 530-300 B.C.) in which universities proliferated, each with an organized curriculum covering the expanding fields of information. However, to approach the frontiers of knowledge and extend them with new thoughts, ideas, discoveries, and inventions (i.e., to become a leader or participant in the advance), it became necessary for the superior intellect of that time to attend a school, academy, or institute for advanced studies and research. The modern equivalent to institutes for advanced studies and research of antiquity, with some of the features of the seventeenth and eighteenth century scientific and philosophical societies, is the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry. The Society was founded in 1974 and today has 651 members in thirty-three countries and territories. The Society accepts standardized test scores or designated unsupervised tests for entrance. Qualification for entrance is based upon present intellectual merit, rather than one's reputation for accomplishment in the past or past academic achievements. Once in the Society, the member is encouraged to apply for promotion based upon contemporary personal achievement and contributions to the general welfare of society. Correspondence among members and publication in the Society's journal, Telicom, are encouraged and rewarded. Telicom provides a forum for members' views and intellectual production and for official proceedings, and serves to coordinate activities and disseminate information, linking the members and creating a social bond. The name of the journal comes from combining "telic" (toward a principle, goal or end; purposeful) and "com" (English abbreviation of communicate.) Written records are kept of each member's accomplishments and achievements, so that recognition may be provided by elevation to a higher level of membership by rewards and awards. One's intellectual growth and creative development are encouraged in an environment of advanced studies, research and accomplishment. At higher levels of membership, original contributions to society in general are expected for elevation, and are continually being made and recognized. However, one may proceed at one's own pace within the Society, for it is well understood that each member has real-life obligations. The Society is therefore an institution for advanced studies, original research and high achievement, for which a demonstrated high level of intellect is merely an entrance requirement.
The ISPE is approved as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America under US Code Section 501(c)(3). It is independent of government, political, religious, activist, or academic influence and funding. The Society promotes no cause, movement, fad, cult, sect, or belief except those of individual responsibility for achievement and service, from which are expected to come creative contributions, intellectual development, and achievements that will improve society. Negative and obstructional tactics are avoided, and no vindictive or ad hominem material may appear in the journal. Yet, it is expected that theories and proposals published in Telicom will generate debate through the process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, via articles from various members published in sequential issues. The process allows a member to openly debate matters of interest, to obtain spirited and well conceived comments and rebuttals, allowing for more formal publication. The non-expert is welcomed into the debate, winning acceptance on the basis of his or her ability, not academic credentials. Any reputable person may apply for membership, although the Society does reserve the right to bar from membership anyone who has demonstrated a lack of agreement with the Society's goals or who may jeopardize the Society's not-for-profit status as defined by the United States Code. The ISPE will not bar anyone on the basis of color, creed, nationality, race, religion, or sex. The admission procedure begins with completion of an application form and documentation of your score on a standard test of intellectual ability. A qualifying score will place you at the 99.9th percentile of the population, which is 3.09 standard deviations above the mean if the test scores are reported in relation to the general population. With many tests being given to a narrow segment of the population (e.g., college students applying for graduate school), the score that qualifies you for membership in the ISPE will differ from a simple determination of 99.9th percentile of those taking the test. The qualifying scores for these tests are established by the Society's Director of Testing to compensate for this factor.
Tests of intellectual ability include both intelligence quotient (I.Q.) and scholastic aptitude tests, for which examples of acceptable tests and qualifying scores are provided below. The list is not a complete list of the tests accepted by the ISPE.
Qualifying scores are subject to change as tests are modified over the years or as the norming process is reiterated. Questions should be directed to the ISPE Director of Admissions (robcampbell_1@yahoo.com)
If you do not have a test score that qualifies you, you may request to take ISPE's self-administered tests for the testing fee. The unsupervised test allows you to test yourself at your own pace, without supervision, thus allowing persons who live at some distance from a practicing psychologist or psychometrist to qualify for membership. Applicants should be aware that there are several methods of measuring intellectual ability, that different tests measure different aspects, and that a non-qualifying score on one does not mean that the applicant will not qualify on another test. If you would like additional information about the self-administered test, please write to:
Dr. Robert M. Campbell E-Mail: robcampbell_1@yahoo.com
Upon acceptance into the ISPE, you will receive enrollment instructions and a request for payment of the initiation fee and the first year's dues. The initiation fee covers the cost of additional processing and provides you a copy of the Charter, Membership Roster (with geographic and other cross-references), and Identification Card. The annual dues include a subscription to the journal, Telicom, which is published ten times a year, updates of the Membership Roster, free Certificates of Advancement (upon your promotion), and other mailings and materials as may be appropriate. Each new enrollee will enter as an Associate Member, and will be considered to have the potential to qualify for advancement to Member upon demonstrating commitment to the Society's goals via personal achievement and contributions to society. Because the ISPE is a society, not a journal subscription service, enrollees are not considered full members with the right to vote until promotion to Member is achieved, whereby they demonstrate their commitment to achievement and service to others.
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