If you must choose, or you were given a choice to be granted one, which one would it be?
A somewhat ridiculous hypothetical (I'm not that much into hypotheticals, generally), but I woke up this morning pondering this. Who would choose which? Who would be the outliers? Who thinks very differently than me? Hmmm...
Let's define them:
Intelligence is the ability to acquire new information. It does not apply to all types of information the same way. Some people are more prone to acquire information of a certain nature than others. For example, some people can understand facts and figures, but cannot assess emotional information of any kind. And vice-versa.
Knowledge is facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject; awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation. The sum of what is known.
Wisdom refers to the ability to think and act in accordance with a high level of common sense, great experience and an understanding of the situation. It also involves having a lot of insight and a capacity to see beyond appearances and into the situation, to assess consequences of various courses of action and to choose the best one. Knowing the difference between right and wrong is essential in this case.Difference between intelligence vs. wisdomAnd for your amusement and curiosity, here's my brain in an MRI/MRA scanner...The white areas is when the contrast dye is going into me.Spooky. Looks like Darth Vader coming out of a lake.Looks like a lot of padding there.Nope, that's not a tumour.See all that white stuff? That's about 20 years of chronic pan sinusitis. It's not supposed to be there.All those 'holes' in the nose are not supposed to be there. More congestion.This is your brain in a scanner. Cooooool.This is a CT scanner profile. I've also had one of these done. Look at that complexity.
I would choose intelligence.
I would choose knowledge.
I would choose wisdom.
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"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life." - Immanuel Kant
Wisdom = Advice. Since I don't actually understand "common sense", I opt for the others.
Knowledge = Materials. It is unfathomable like a black hole. We can't possibly learn everything within one life, so I think it's good to be able to process which knowledge would be beneficial to us first.
Intelligence = Ability to learn and apply information. This is the most fascinating feature to me. Because, if I don't have enough practical knowledge, and don't have some relative intelligence like linguistic, logical, interpersonal (or any other significant skills, understanding, etc.), I can't communicate well and give my wisdom to anybody.
Anyways, I prefer to have a discussion on several topics I'm interested in. I found that when I gave my opinion which appears as wisdom, very very few people would reply back. (ie. Likes on my posts on social media , but no comment) This makes me doubt whether they actually agree or disagree with me. If they don't, it's okay as long as they interact and we continue on discussing. I know my "wisdom" is not an absolute truth. It's just my personal experience. It would be great to have other aspects on one particular thing. Therefore, acting like an empty glass is easier, to me.
Both is very important to me. All the great achievements in the world came from a person using facts and creativity to do things no one thought possible because they were not able to imagine it possible.
I read the title and immediately thought it was an awesome hypothetical question. Considering intelligence is the ability and capacity to acquire information and learn while applying that information, whereas knowledge is hard facts and material thoughts that are definite, and wisdom is simple truths about life, a knowledge of sorts but more open and expressive and often applied to experience. I assume then in that case that gaining either knowledge or wisdom would be to grant limitless amounts and potential for more of that trait, whereas intelligence would grant the infinite ability to acquire both wisdom and knowledge.
My answer: I am fairly intelligent I would say, and I have some wisdom to share on many subjects, and I tend to be very knowledgable. Based on my current standing, I would pick knowledge because, while I may have knowledge, I have difficulty recollecting bits of information when necessary. If it is from a fresh start, I would choose intelligence to be able to gain knowledge and wisdom both, on my own terms
Wisdom. Intelligence is nothing without the sense to use it and knowlege is pointless without the ability to use it.
I've known intelligent people but they generally speaking can't use that intelligence practically. They do well at school because they can quickly pick up information and regurgitate it during tests. Knowledge is fine but not all knowledge is equal, i don't think my knowledge of old sitcom theme tunes is going to help me too much.
This is how I see it :- Intelligence - the ability to procure knowlege Knowledge- what you know Wisdom - the ability to use that knowledge.
I choose knowledge. The sheer volume of knowledge in existence (known and unknown) is beyond comprehension. To have it all at my disposal would be glorious! A true feat of self-actualization. What is the point of intelligence if you already have the knowledge? The capacity to learn easily is meaningless if there is nothing to learn. And while I believe that new knowledge is born with each moment of existence, let's assume that isn't the case for the purpose of this question. It makes things easier I think.
Regarding wisdom, I see an opportunity to answer a different question you invited me to answer because it's killing two birds with one stone: Of course wisdom and common sense are nice things to have; of course knowing the difference between right and wrong is essential. But maybe; acting on the knowledge, the most logical, statistically probable, or natural course of action will achieve the best results even if it's not the wisest (by definition) course of action. Maybe if you're all-knowing, good and evil are meaningless. Religious people seem to think so, since God's omniscience is often used to defend his lack of action against the wrongs of the world. Maybe the apparent boon of omniscience (automatic absolution from responsibility) isn't such a bad thing to have.
OK, A NUMBER of things, here!! We have chatted offline, so I am assuming a more personal, friendly approach, in my response, assuming with your 'insight' (wait, that wasn't on the list!) and how we 'know' each other (I'm a smart-ass, and really smart, like you!) so you won't take offense to anything, but I write this also as a caveat, sorry, a warning, or explanation, beforehand, to others that read this. First, WTF with the MRI scan images? I KNOW you have a BRILLIANT mind, and that implies a very well developed and well-functioning brain!! So you PROVED that you have a brain, and a very cute, and kind of sexy-looking one, it is!! :) Second, I DISAGREE with your definition of 'Intelligence'. What you stated, "the ability to think in accordance with. . . " Yadda Yadda and so on!! Einstein said, succinctly: "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination" and that is often interpreted as, "Intelligence is seeing what is not already there!" How you define 'intelligence' seems just an extension to your definition of 'knowledge'. Third, your definition of 'Wisdom' is lacking, and also and extension, like interpretation of knowledge. True Wisdom requires Life EXPERIENCE!! LIVING, and EXPERIENCING!! What you never posted was "Insight" and "Supposition" or maybe 'Hypothesis'? That is gathering the knowledge, and using intelligence to SEE the things within that, and create something, a summation, maybe, a collection of processed data, into something useful, actionable, like combing knowledge, and having insight and then an action in the physical world. Repeat over and over, and observe the results, to get to 'Wisdom'. Ok, maybe my interpretations, and disagreements are biased in my own way, my experiences with my life-experience.
Well then apparently you have a beef with the editorial staff at www.difference.guru It is their definitions I chose. difference.guru/.../ I still like them. You are entitled to your own interpretations. But I did not write them. I chose them.
Since you want to speak frankly with each other, I really don't like your overuse of CAPS and exclamation points. In everything you write. They express shouting, anger, and souped up enthusiasm.
I never said or implied that my brain was so impressive as evidenced by those scans. I just thought it was more interesting to see MRI images than some generic graphic which are all over the internet. My scans prove nothing about intelligence. They show that I had major, chronic congestion. That's it.
Ok, I owe you a huge apology, and almost everything you interpreted from my last wasn't how I intended it. Emails are so bad at conveying the majority of communication, and if we had been talking, face to face you would have known that nothing I said was at all intended to insult, hurt, or anything like that. I am soooooo sorry that is how you interpreted it. I want to use exclamations for emphasis, because I am honestly sorry for the confusion, but knowing that you don't perceive them as I intend, I am not using them, but I am, really sorry, OK? I posted that we had talked, so you would maybe remember some, and read my response with the things I had said privately, in mind, and see how it was posted humorously, maybe a little sarcastically. I was not aware that the editorial staff had defined those terms, and I certainly meant no offense nor did I intend to imply that they were your definitions. I am sorry that you perceive and read 'caps' as 'yelling' and anger. Not at all what I mean, or how I intend those to be read. Once again, if we had been talking, face to face, you would understand how I say some things for emphasis, but never yelling. Yes the MRI images were great, and I never meant to imply anything but interest, but maybe uncertainty as to why you posted something that many would think is quite personal. I never meant to imply anything about intelligence from those, as having chatted privately, I do, honestly believe you are very intelligent, very articulate, and someone that I have enjoyed talking with. Please don't let this misunderstanding ruin what could be a great friendship. I apologize for the confusion, and yes, I will make a special effort, not to use caps and exclamation marks, since you see them differently than I intend.
@JackSmy "True wisdom requires life experience.". Not necessarily. One can be wise by studying the mistakes of others and choosing the correct path to achieve the most beneficial outcome.
@Jamie05rhs I agree, and hear your words and they are good, to a point. Nothing can replace making horrible mistakes, accepting that, and learning from those. You can learn some things, from other's mistakes, but there is something in the pain, the angst of living the experience, that makes the lesson more real, more tangible! Life and really LIVING is about fcking up, and learning, and not making the same mistakes again.
@AmandaYVR I saw that post, resurface, and I purposely avoided it!! OK, no issues, no problems!!! I adore you, and love your posts!! Did I ever say that you have a really cute-looking brain? I mean, aside from the snotty part, that you pointed out, I would love to challenge, and continue to discuss the myriad unique and interesting things that come forth, and you post here! You are the BEST!! Seriously, and loving your posts! :)
Well really it comes down to intelligence and wisdom because knowledge can be acquired rather easily compared to acquiring wisdom or intelligence. However I would say wisdom because you do need a degree of intelligence to be wise but intelligence doesn't necessarily mean wisdom. Besides which the ability to understand how to use what you know affectively is more important then the ability to acquire that knowledge or the knowledge itself (if knowledge is the gasoline and intelligence is the car, wisdom would be the engine. You don't need unlimited supply of gasoline to run an engine, you don't need wheels to make an engine valuable, but you need an engine to make the other two have purpose). So that would be my reasoning for choosing wisdom.
Based on your definitions, knowledge is only intelligence that has been actualized, while intelligence is only potential knowledge. Now, is is self evident that to know is better than to not know, as a rule. Therefore knowledge is better than intelligence.
But knowledge in and of itself can't give meaning to life. A library is full of knowledge. A computer is full of knowledge. Yet it doesn't give you any ability to act well or live a life of meaning. Only wisdom is able to answer the deepest questions of life, and only wisdom can act as a guide to live a good life. Intelligence and knowledge are meer curiosities when compared to wisdom
I think wisdom and knowledge would be limited without the intelligence to understand and apply the two to your daily life.
For example learning from mistakes. I gain wisdom when I make a mistake, this wisdom leads to knowledge of the consequences that come after that mistake. I can use that experience to avoid making the same mistake. If I’m not smart enough to use this wisdom and knowledge, knowing it won’t serve me well.
I say intelligence. You need intelligence to use wisdom and knowledge effectively. It’s like having a recipe for a cake but not being able to follow it well.
In your description i know i picked Wisdom, because its my strongest trait. I have bad short term memory and am not a good learner in the traditional sense, but i am really good at analyzing things as they are and looking further into something. And if i do that i tend to remember it forever. To much knowledge bloats your mind and makes you loose focus, the ability to learn from books can make you fall for propaganda. Wisdom is the one that allows me to poke trough and learn the valuable things i can then adapt into writing for others to learn the traditional way.
Wisdom comes from experience, so simply living and experiencing life and learning from those experiences, do you obtain wisdom. Intellect and knowledge typically go hand in hand. Generally speaking, the more knowledge you obtain, the more intelligent you become so long as you retain that information and are capable of using it. And for intelligence, you're basically talking about IQ or Intelligence Quartile which is measured and based on how high it is, determines what one can and cannot learn/comprehend. So without an IQ of at least 2, you could not cry out in pain.
I don't know. None are inherently better than the other depending on what you do in life.
I wanted there to be an option for all three... I choose intelligence because I have the intelligence to know that my knowledge and wisdom come from intelligence! Knowledge is something you get from learning... Wisdom is something you can teach from the knowledge you have learnt Intelligence is the only option you can argue you have right now
As per your definitions, I would go with "wisdom", or common sense. Although, these definitions are not exactly accurate and the reality is a little more disappointing than that (or pleasing? I guess it depends on how you look at it).
I didn't spend ages comparing tonnes of definitions. I chose these wordings because I felt like they were not too 'leading' and would allow for a variety of votes and decisions. I wouldn't say they are inaccurate, per se.
In my opinion, if you have knowledge, all of it, you don't need to be intelligent and you are automatically wise since you know everything. If you know everything, you don't need to learn and, because of your infinite knowledge, you can tackle any situation because you know everything about these situations.
Yes, thanks. Surgery was terrifying to me. I am not good with any medical procedures and poking and prodding, let alone being fully sedated and unconscious, and them working up at my brain (one sinus cavity is up in the forehead and the other 4 in the head). But an otolaryngologist surgeon did 'sinus surgery' on me and he got all that bad stuff out of there. Much better quality of life now. I only take one generic ceterizine antihistamine every 3 days or so now.
I would choose intelligence so I can acquire knowledge easier. I don't have a lot of trouble with wisdom, that is already my strongest suit in my opinion.
I mean I’m already intelligent. I would say knowledge. I would say that given the knowledge necessary, anything could be solved with infinite intelligence.
It was through my husband's work medical insurance, and it's a very long story about one corrupt doctor who was incapable of fixing me, so he lied to me and told me that I didn't need surgery, nor was there anything that can be done for me. Liiiiiies. Another doctor finally told me he was lying, but that I absolutely must not say where I heard that information from, because then the second doctor would get in a huge amount of trouble, could even lose his license over ethics stuff like that. But guy #2 recommended guy #3, a specialist at the top of his field, and then we had to beg for a referral to him, which was almost impossible because on paper it "wasn't necessary". But finally got one. Then my husband talked to his employer about the whole sham, and asking to change our specific insurance, then being on completely different plan than the rest of the entire company in the Group, and we (me and my husband, and his employer, because they liked us so much) all chipped in extra monthly for that, for years. Even getting in to see #3 was a big deal, because he is the busy head of a teaching hospital and he wrote textbooks and manual procedures on how to do this surgery. So yeah, long story. In the end I was able to get it done, and it improved my life immensely. But it was expensive, I was caught in the middle bewteen malpractice, and massive ego, and a beaurocratic nightmare. But the scans are cool.
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