What does it really mean to be a truly intelligent person?

Question

What makes a person of high intelligence in your opinion?

HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

A lot of people confuse knowledge with intelligence. A doctor isn't necessarily extremely intelligent. They have just remembered a lot of facts and have knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge through experience. It's the same for any profession really. Engineers, lawyers, etc.

There are many types of intelligence...

Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner's theory is likely the most comprehensive and well-known answer to this question. His research suggests that the traditional concept of a single IQ is far too narrow. He originally identified 7, then 8, and eventually settled on 9 distinct types:

Linguistic Intelligence: The ability to master language, use words effectively, and express complex ideas (e. g., writers, poets, lawyers).

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The capacity for logical reasoning, abstract thought, and solving mathematical problems (e. g., scientists, engineers).

Spatial Intelligence: The skill to visualize with the mind's eye and manipulate visual-spatial information (e. g., architects, pilots, sculptors).

Musical Intelligence: A sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, meter, tone, and melody (e. g., musicians, composers).

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to use one's body skillfully to express an idea or solve a problem (e. g., dancers, athletes, surgeons).

Interpersonal Intelligence: The capacity to understand the intentions, motivations, and desires of other people (e. g., teachers, therapists, leaders).

Intrapersonal Intelligence: The ability to understand oneself, one's own feelings, fears, and motivations (e. g., philosophers, self-aware individuals).

Naturalistic Intelligence: The ability to recognize, categorize, and draw upon patterns in the natural world (e. g., biologists, farmers, chefs).

Existential Intelligence: The sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life.

🔬 Sternberg's Triarchic Theory (3 Types)

Psychologist Robert Sternberg offers a more focused theory, arguing that intelligence can be divided into three practical aspects:

Analytical Intelligence: This is what most IQ tests measure—the ability to analyze, evaluate, and compare information to solve problems.

Creative Intelligence: The ability to generate novel ideas, adapt to new situations, and think outside the box.

Practical Intelligence: Often called "street smarts," this is the ability to apply knowledge and adapt to everyday life and real-world contexts.

📜 Other Key Types of Intelligence

Beyond these major theories, psychologists have identified other important forms of intelligence:

Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence: This model splits general intelligence into two parts. Fluid intelligence is the raw ability to solve new problems and identify patterns, which typically peaks in young adulthood. Crystallized intelligence is the accumulation of knowledge, facts, and skills over a lifetime, which often continues to increase with age.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The ability to perceive, understand, and manage your own emotions and those of others. It's a key factor for success in personal and professional relationships.

indissoluble · Accepted Answer

Intelligence is about your ability to think and comprehend general truths. This often takes place by making connections through pattern recognition. So for example as an intelligent person you should be able to make a connection between Islam, Nazism, Marxism, and modern day Democrats even while Democrats call everyone else Nazis.

So for example one such pattern would be in Islam Uthman burned all the copies of the Quran that challenged his position. He erased history to gain power.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/wu7PBmzLaC8

Then the Nazis (who started from Islamic Freemasonry) also burned books to erase history to gain power.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/D-0YQRb4_ho

This is a shared Idea in Marxism... Dialectical materialism...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/L-vaLuEfRnA

It is also a central dogma of the BLM/ANTIFA woke mob of today

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jev4yH8a3FE

They are all the same ideology. Anyone with reasonable intelligence (pattern recognition) can see the repeating pattern in history even while modern Democrats yell Nazi at everyone that criticizes them. It's not what Democrats say, it's what they do and what they are doing is repeating an ideological pattern that spans through history. They are the Nazis... They are the Communists... They are the Muslims... The are the evil scourge that brings death to the world.

Simslover92 · Accepted Answer

I've met all kinds of people and intelligence can't be easily defined because there are all kinds of intelligent people. There are people who have grasped their intelligence through their environment and the people around them and then there are people who have cultivated their intelligence through reading and writing and education. Then there are people who have gained it through both.

In other words, there are street smart people and book smart people. And then there's those that are a mixture of the two.

Intelligence again, is not something that you can really explain easily because it's not an easy concept to understand and that's where wisdom comes in when you realize this about intelligence.

FreyaRed · Accepted Answer

Recognition of patterns, prediction of non obvious behaviors of others, ability to predict emotional states of others, good general knowledge...
On the other hand talking about other people is symptomatic for less intelligent people, average people talk about happenings and really smart butts talk about ideas.

Kaneki05 · Answer

Intelligence is a fallacy and so is saying truly in front of that. Means nothing but what you make it. Humans will make it into what fits their world of view. Someone's opinion on this question is a perfect example...
If you can figure out that someone then was that smart or just instinct or learnt behavior? It goes more into a debate of free will honestly which is a whole can of worms.
And don't mistake me as any different but I'm aware of that fact unlike many so... maybe that counts for something or don't.

If you want a more simple answer from what I make it? Well intelligent is opposite to average so just by simply not being average I think you're smarter though... most are average so... there is of course a paradox to this which is average think they're above average ya know The Dunning-Kruger.
And I do think of myself as that since I don't see anyone else give such answers like I do and aware of things others seemingly never even think about. But perhaps I'm below average just compensating, reality is no way of knowing because even if you are to measure it realistically I'm likely above average on certain things and below on others.
But isn't that average?
And yeah this was meant to be the simple answer... side note don't take a shot for everytime I say average lol

NathanDavis · Answer

to me... someone that's really intelligent, that's someone who knows more than anything, about balance... and oneself

if you balance yourself, with your knowledge, abilities, capabilities... as well as your shortcomings, flaws and inadequacies... then you're going to be in a much better position to either make most of it, if you wish so... or to make the best out of it for yourself

and of course, to do that in a more balanced away... a way in which it doesn't take away happiness from you but also bring happiness to you

happiness... being whatever goals or expectations you have from yourself in this life, and not just from life itself

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Instinctively, I conflate and associate it to someone heavily invested into cognitive affairs of the world. But, in truth, that is what makes a person of high intellect.

Then there is the notion of intelligence. Intelligence seems like a living notion yet to be defined. Undefined, per coders' jargon, intelligence has not yet been assigned a value. The irony. The irony that Artificial Intelligence is a title given by coders to certain pieces of trending code. Then back to philosophy again, what is intelligence?

What is a person of high intelligence in my opinion... I think it's a wise person, but what is a wise person? Maybe I'll think about it when you'll come up with a question about wisdom?

DonaldDarko · Answer

From what I'v seen living with high IQ family members its mostly mental muscel. A lot of computing power. One person would even notice how the cat held it's whiskers when it was doing this or that. Or tiny whiskers on the dog's muzzle that I never noticed. High IQ people are like these huge meat heads that can pick up the back of a car but it's their brain.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I think they have to be well-rounded. I had professors with PhDs, who I didn't consider "intelligent", because they had zero knowledge of things outside their field and some even didn't know everything in their field. I think an itelligent person is knowledgable in various topics

Glitcherydoo · Answer

I have stopped using the word “smart” to describe people because it’s kind of generic and not specific enough.

intelligence: the speed with which one processes information correctly.

It’s very clinical.

Knowledge: the information one retains for future use.

this is a little nebulous because there is so much misinformation and disinformation nowadays…

DecentMan · Answer

Truly intelligent is not achedemics - it is someone able to see bigger picture and balance thoughts with emotion and caring - able to work out different angles to situations and challenges and access without haste?

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Someone who can learn from his mistakes, someone who can upgrade himself and someone who can be friendly with anyone...

Also a person who knows how to earn money from anything, a person who knows how to solve his problems by any means and do not surrunder at any cost... etc

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

The willingness to change one’s mind as part of a never-ending pursuit of the truth. Information not being tied to one’s identity is a large sign of intellect in my opinion

Zack-Bann · Answer

It’s in the quickness. In theory most people can grasp a bit of information given enough time. The intelligent ones are the ones that catch on fast

Taurus_Woman · Answer

A truly intelligent person is someone who can think clearly, solve problems, stay open-minded, and learn from mistakes while understanding people and situations well.

slatyb · Answer

Constantly learning, willing to change their opinion with new data, knowing that simple answers are almost always wrong, and aware that there is so much they don't know.

Friendlybro79 · Answer

There are many different traits that highly intelligent people possess. One thing that comes to mind is knowing when someone in the room is more intelligent, and having enough intelligence on your own to listen.

katiesmuff · Answer

A person who deeply researches for answers and suggestions before making decisions. There was a time when we had that in our US government.

strateguy632 · Answer

not wisdom but the potential. the advantage we have over animals to notice patterns. hence the type of question for measuring iq intellect

RavVid · Answer

Identifying the core issue and applying appropriate rules. Physicist are pretty good at this because it is what their training teaches them to do.

sage2021 · Answer

I have had 2 of my medical doctors tell me that I am very intelligent. 🧠🤓

When I asked my woman doctor why she thinks that - she said "I see people in here all day, every day and you are intelligent!"

BobbieBoy666 · Answer

when common sense is used in every everyday life.

OneViewpoint · Answer

I dunno, I'm stoooopid. I can barely use a keyboard. 🤣

Miristheiss · Answer

Having thoughtfulness, wisdon and self control.

goaded · Answer

Knowledge, critical thinking, and the ability to take on new ideas.

Shiprex · Answer

It's easy to grasp the nuances of things if you think about things.

genericname85 · Answer

Their IQ is high cause they score high in an IQ Test. That's how its defined.

Still-alive · Answer

If you're able to see the bigger picture of things that usually gives me that impression.

AgentG111 · Answer

People come to you for advice or they seek you out for your knowledge and understanding.

Iron_Man · Answer

Good communicator has a lot of knowledge has a lot of facts.

najekim · Answer

One who questions everything and then finds verifiable answers on their own.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Intelligence is not possible to define or quantify on one single linear line. It can take on several different forms and meanings

exitseven · Answer

If they agree with me.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

It means that I am misunderstood regularly.

Dargil · Answer

I don't know. Never been there.

robocop666 · Answer

I have an IQ score of well over 150

Anonymous · Answer

It means a great deal of loneliness.

Cidknee · Answer

Search me.

Anonymous · Answer

Being smart.

shachin · Answer

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What does it really mean to be a truly intelligent person?

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