International Society for
Philosophical Enquiry (I.S.P.E.)
International Headquarters: St -Louis, Mo., U. S. A.
Visit us at: http://www.thethousand.com
“give the needy fish and you feed them for a day.
Teach them to fish and you feed them for life”
GENERAL INTRODUCTION: The Janus-faces of I.S.P.E.
Janus was, in Roman mythology, the god of portals and of beginnings and endings, usually
depicted as having two faces looking in opposite directions. Similarly, I.S.P.E. has an inward-looking
face and an outward-looking one; and I.S.P.E. can be thought of as representing great beginnings and
great ends. Much depends on the individual and his or her beliefs, attitudes, and motivations.
Generally speaking, I.S.P.E. is one of the top I.Q. ‘clubs’ of the World, with a minimum
intellectual exceptionality cutoff at the 99.9th percentile. Already in its 27th year of operations, I.S.P.E.
has proven itself as one of the most consistently dependable Forums for exceptional intellects; and it has
shown that while some top I.Q.’clubs’ with even higher percentile entry requirements may fan the ego,
in many cases such self-flattery is neither reliable nor valid. The absence of absolute standards renders
many ‘genius’ I.Q.’s overinflated and vacuous. I.S.P.E. stands about at the upper limit of psychometric
reliability and validity, beyond which is nothing but uncertainty as things become increasingly blurred.
Thus, I.S.P.E. may be a great discovery and beginning for a superior yet humble intellect; while at the
same time serving as a stout reminder, that there is a limit and an end even to the greatest creative genius.
Looking inward, I.S.P.E. is an appropriate Forum for individual creativity and intellectual growth.
Let’s say, a person is already an active Mensa member; and knows that his or her I.Q. is at least at the 98 th
percentile, as required by Mensa for entrance. Now, through I.S.P.E., the same person may discover that in
fact, his or her I.Q. may be much higher than that. Additionally, an exceptionally intelligent person may find
and enjoy the company of kindred minds in I.S.P.E., since our only common denominator is the above
mentioned 99.9% cutoff. There is no discrimination as to age, sex, color, creed, nationality, or culture; and
in fact, I.S.P.E. has over 600 members in many different countries. I.S.P.E. had been originally designed to
resemble the free-learning institutes of antiquity, such as Plato’s Academy or Aristotle’s Lyceum. As a kind
of private academy or institute for advanced studies, I.S.P.E. has neither curricula nor timetables; but rather,
total flexibility to accommodate different cognitive styles and to optimize individual intellectual growth. A
well-defined structure allows a member to know his or her true comparative standing in the Society, and
provides incentives for advancement and promotion. We have six ranks within I.S.P.E. (plus ‘Philosopher’the highest possible designation), and this advancement system is unique even among the high I.Q.
Societies. Personal growth is thus recognized and even rewarded. No need to feel like black sheep with us!
On the contrary, you could relax among equals; and while making new friends, grow and help growth.
Looking outward, I.S.P.E. is an appropriate Forum for self-expression and contributions to
humanity- at-large. Most members have professions to cultivate, but professional standards place severe
constraints on individuality and creativity. I.S.P.E. is not a professional Society, but a most eclectic private
Forum where interdisciplinary approaches and original thinking are encouraged. It is understood that
members have professional responsibilities and that they have families to feed; but for individual fulfillment
and optimal function, sometimes additional ‘communication’ and ‘distribution’ channels are needed- and
I.S.P.E. is there as the proper vehicle for just that. We don’t encourage members to languish on their laurels.
We feel that there is so much need in the World, that the benevolent approach to help our less talented
fellow humans is both theoretically and practically a sort of unspoken and unwritten but nevertheless real,
requirement. This sentiment is motivated by the realization that although individual differences and the
resultant social stratifications are real, they are but products of civilizations and cultural evolutions.
Fundamentally, we are all cosmic citizens of equal birthright; therefore, the socioeconomically handicapped
ought to be helped by teaching autonomy and self-sufficiency, in the deepest sense of transcendental charity
and righteousness. In short, you could do a lot of good both to yourself and others, if you so wish, via our
membership and outreach programs; some of which are in place, while others are being developed all along.
While we are developing our outreach program to help humanity in general, I.S.P.E. already
provides a number of means for encouraging cognitive growth and communication. Our Journal, Telicom
(the name is derived from TELIC, toward a principle, goal, or end, from the Greek telikos < telos end; as
well as COM, the English abbreviation of communication) invites and encourages contributions 10 times a
year; and as a general-purpose Journal, it publishes articles of every ilk, from scholarly discourses to poetry,
from puzzles to newsworthy items, etc. We have a Website for informational purposes, which you are
welcome to visit at: http://www.thethousand.com; and we have an ISPEnet Chat Forum, where members can
communicate, exchange ideas, discuss various issues, etc. In short; member activities are invited and much
encouraged; and Society activities are intended to be promoted and optimized, as much as possible, in the
long run.
A point of emphasis is that I.S.P.E. is not a business, but a non-profit organization chartered as such.
Officers and members with various official responsibilities are unpaid volunteers who have internalized our
goals as specified in our Charter. We are independent of any other high I.Q. society; as well as government,
political, religious, activist, or academic influence and funding. I.S.P.E. promotes no cause, movement, fad,
cult, sect, or belief except those of individual responsibility for achievement and service, as explained
above. It is expected that creative contributions, intellectual development, and achievements beneficial to
human society naturally arise from such voluntary achievements and services.
Any reputable person may apply for membership, although I.S.P.E. reserves the right to decline
membership to anyone who is known for disruptive and self-seeking activities. The admission procedure
begins with completing and submitting the enclosed Application Form along with psychometric evidence of
an I.Q. at least at the 99.9th percentile (i.e. minimum 3.08 standard deviations above the mean or an I.Q. of
151 on the Stanford-Binet, etc.) and the processing fee. Alternatively, one may request our self-administered
Admission Test; and submit that as evidence, along with the modest testing fee. Upon acceptance into the
I.S.P.E., the successful applicant receives 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
with a copy of the Charter, Membership Roster (with geographic and other cross-references), Associate
Member Certificate, and Membership Identification Card. The Annual dues include a subscription to the
journal TELICOM, updates of the Membership Roster, free Certificates of Advancement (upon your
promotion), and other mailings and materials as may be appropriate. Each new enrollee enters as an
Associate Member, and is considered as having the potential to qualify for advancement to Member status
upon demonstrating commitment to the Society’s goals via personal achievements and contributions.
In conclusion, the I.S.P.E. motto “Quaere Verum” works both ways: inwardly toward fostering
individual creativity and cognitive growth; and outwardly, toward helping others in their growths. This is
what the Janus-faces of I.S.P.E. are all about. If you can qualify for entrance, The Thousand may open a
whole new World of opportunity for you, broadening your horizons, criteria of humanity, and perhaps
encouraging you to make original and lasting contributions toward the long-term welfare of all Mankind.
For further details contact
Copyright © I.S.P.E., 2001.
Mr. Robert L. Clark, C.P.A.,
I.S.P.E. Information Officer,
4904 Mesa Bonita Court NW,
Albuquerque, NM 87120-3367, U.S.A.
Vulpesapien@aol.com