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 Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:48 pm
Having covered perversion, I now propose a thread on intellectuality. Being the other half of the equation and all.
However, I know of no good measures of intellectuality. So I propose instead to ask this question: what makes a person, in your opinion, an intellectual? Given two people, one an intellectual and one not, what distinguishes them?
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:03 pm
To me, intellectualism is defined as one simple thing.
If there are two otherwise identical people, but one's an intellectual, the difference is quite simply that the intellectual takes the time to think about things. These things may be about their environment, or something far removed from it. These things may be related or not. But they think about them nonetheless.
The one who isn't an intellectual, on the other hand, will tend to be (not ALWAYS be though!) quicker to act.
Needless to say, anyone who can say "Guilty" to a significant number of Jeff Foxworthy's old "You Might Be A Redneck" jokes probably isn't an intellectual. smile
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:50 pm
What do you do, then, if the person who spends lots of time thinking is still an idiot?
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:57 am
I think what distinguishes an intellectual to a victim of the Stupid, is quite, simply, ignorance, and their reaction towards those who have it, including themselves.
An intellectual will look to better him/herself. Ignorance is not an option. They will recognize their limit, whether or not they like it, and will strive to surpass it. An intellectual will not, under any circumstances, accept being ignorant. If an intellectual is very ignorant in one subject, they will choose to either better themselves in the subject, or avoid giving opinions on it, as they would contribute nothing.
Someone who is not an intellectual will simply make un-educated opinions, even when opinion will not sway the argument to any side at all. they will stay ignorant, as they don't care. They refuse to acknowledge that they are ignorant, and if they do, they don't care. If they know nothing about a subject, they will give opinions, and if they realize they're not doing anything, they will not care about the subject, whether it's of their interest or not. "If someone proves me wrong, I'll just babble until they give up. If I can't do anything, I don't care about it.", would be their motto, methinks.
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:40 pm
*nods* I think that is a good way to put it.
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:30 pm
I agree greatly with Vyce, but I also have to add that not only is the non-intelectual person ignorant, but their unwillingness to change that is generally based in fear. Xenophobia is rampent within the ignorant, in my opinion, because of the old theory, "If you don't know about 'evil,' you won't act it out," which stems forth greatly in K-12 education. An ignoramus' socialization tends to consist of peers and adults subplanting ideas of fear and mystery regarding whatever topic the person remains uninformed about, be it sex, race, or lobotomies. Therefore they do not seek to become informed about it because they fear that the simple knowledge will lead them to commit "evil" or "sinful" acts. This is one way we get teenagers who use candybar wrappers as condoms because their parents told them that birth control is evil. The intellectual on the other hand generally understands that "See No Evil" logic is not true, and seeks to become informed about a multitude of issues and concepts.
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 3:17 am
Lord Vyce An intellectual will not, under any circumstances, accept being ignorant. If an intellectual is very ignorant in one subject, they will choose to either better themselves in the subject, or avoid giving opinions on it, as they would contribute nothing. To clarify your quote above, i'd more readily agree with: "An intellectual acknowledges that they are ignorant and does not try to feign knowledge, but rather seek to better understand why they are ignorant and decide on whether to remain so or learn. The intellectual may add opinions to such subjects, but understands where opinion differs from fact and should always expect that s/he is wrong." Whether this is because I'm guity of remaining ignorant towards physics and most religion yet still like to consider myself intellectual, or because there's truely some clarification needed, i'll leave to your guessing. :]
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:16 pm
M0rgan The intellectual on the other hand generally understands that "See No Evil" logic is not true, and seeks to become informed about a multitude of issues and concepts. It is also interesting to note that intellectuals can sense the line between what is evil and what is not evil as being much more of a nebulous blob. They can accept many things that the ignorant would consider evil as having their uses, though they will typically appreciate certain points as descending into true evil - just that those points tend to be further down the road.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:52 am
An intellectual person is, as has been more or less stated, someone who does not encourage the formation of a judgement based on incomplete knowledge, whether on people or on greater scientific, philosophical, polical, etc. issues.
An intellectual is also someone who will recognize when he or she is at fault and will not try to conceal their fault for the sake of public opinion or his or her own vanity.
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:20 am
Intellectuals don't let the masses dictate their opinions and thoughts. They form their own opinions and thoughts based on information they have gathered in their research and observation.
However, ignorants often let others dictate their opinion. They don't bother to try and learn more and observe more before making an opinion.
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:57 am
M0rgan I agree greatly with Vyce, but I also have to add that not only is the non-intelectual person ignorant, but their unwillingness to change that is generally based in fear. Xenophobia is rampent within the ignorant, in my opinion, because of the old theory, "If you don't know about 'evil,' you won't act it out," which stems forth greatly in K-12 education. An ignoramus' socialization tends to consist of peers and adults subplanting ideas of fear and mystery regarding whatever topic the person remains uninformed about, be it sex, race, or lobotomies. Therefore they do not seek to become informed about it because they fear that the simple knowledge will lead them to commit "evil" or "sinful" acts. This is one way we get teenagers who use candybar wrappers as condoms because their parents told them that birth control is evil. The intellectual on the other hand generally understands that "See No Evil" logic is not true, and seeks to become informed about a multitude of issues and concepts. QFT. Goddamn, but I know why, more than ever, I want to spend my life with you.
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:40 pm
What does "QFT" mean?
Anyways, what I forgot to add is that, there is, in a sense, a sort of "pure intellectual", or an ideal for intellectualism which we seek, but, very probably, never obtain. To be on that path, heading ever more towards a likely impossible goal, is to be an intellectual.
Just like any other skill, however, it takes a certain level of accurate self-judgement to head in the right direction towards "intellectual", without just stopping part way or getting distracted from the goal. Thus, unfortunately, not everyone can be intellectuals. I just like to believe I'm on the right path, and work to justify it. ^^
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:01 pm
chikushou What does "QFT" mean? Anyways, what I forgot to add is that, there is, in a sense, a sort of "pure intellectual", or an ideal for intellectualism which we seek, but, very probably, never obtain. To be on that path, heading ever more towards a likely impossible goal, is to be an intellectual. Just like any other skill, however, it takes a certain level of accurate self-judgement to head in the right direction towards "intellectual", without just stopping part way or getting distracted from the goal. Thus, unfortunately, not everyone can be intellectuals. I just like to believe I'm on the right path, and work to justify it. ^^ QFT=Quoted For Truth
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