meaning of intelligent?

Discuss any topics related to metaphysics (the philosophical study of the principles of reality) or epistemology (the philosophical study of knowledge) in this forum.
Post Reply
kordofany
Posts: 56
Joined: April 9th, 2018, 3:57 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Franz Kafka
Contact:

meaning of intelligent?

Post by kordofany »

When we say this intelligent person, we assume that he was able to control the way his brain analyzes the facts. Intelligence is a characteristic that is intended to compliment a person. If that's not true, does that mean the word "intelligent" is meaningless? Can we use the word "capabilities" instead
Freedom is an Idea in the mind... And reckless behavior is irrational.. I can live free inside the prison.
Image
User avatar
Thinking critical
Posts: 1793
Joined: November 7th, 2011, 7:29 pm
Favorite Philosopher: A.C Grayling
Location: Perth, Australia (originally New Zealand)

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by Thinking critical »

kordofany wrote: June 21st, 2018, 11:10 pm When we say this intelligent person, we assume that he was able to control the way his brain analyzes the facts. Intelligence is a characteristic that is intended to compliment a person. If that's not true, does that mean the word "intelligent" is meaningless? Can we use the word "capabilities" instead
I'm not sure "capabilities" is the best word to use as it covers a very broad spectrum. Intelligence has multiple facets, each uniquely relevant to their own specific application.
Intelligence can be seen as the ability to solve rudimentary problems and equations, learn and retain knowledge and complex information. until any word can be clearly defined it is somewhat meaningless.
This cocky little cognitive contortionist will straighten you right out
Wayne92587
Posts: 1780
Joined: January 27th, 2012, 9:32 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Hermese Trismegistus

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by Wayne92587 »

Intelligence is based upon the ability to know, to understand that there is a difference between an Illusion of, and a reflection of, Reality.

The problem being, that in order for an Illusion to exist it must be mistaken to be a Reality, the truth.
User avatar
ogbaby_d
New Trial Member
Posts: 3
Joined: June 28th, 2018, 11:07 am

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by ogbaby_d »

We can use capabilities instead and it does not change the meaning of intelligent or intelligence here.
User avatar
mr533473
Posts: 59
Joined: July 1st, 2018, 8:12 am

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by mr533473 »

Capable and intelligent are not interchangeable. Someone displaying physical capabilities does not necessarily exhibit intelligence (imagine someone stepping on their own neck). Think of intelligence as applied knowledge. You have to know things which would make you knowledgeable but intelligence is distinguished from knowledgeable in the application of the knowledge.
Wayne92587
Posts: 1780
Joined: January 27th, 2012, 9:32 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Hermese Trismegistus

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by Wayne92587 »

Intelligence has not to do with physical; capabilities, it has to do with mental capabilities, with One's level
Consciousness.


Man not being born conscious is not Intelligent.
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7914
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by LuckyR »

Personally I draw a large distinction between accumulating lots of facts/understanding on one hand and the ability to manipulate facts to come up with answers on the other.
"As usual... it depends."
User avatar
Mosesquine
Posts: 189
Joined: September 3rd, 2016, 4:17 am

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by Mosesquine »

Human intelligence is the combination of experience, consciousness, linguistic abilities, knowledge, etc.
User avatar
JamesOfSeattle
Premium Member
Posts: 509
Joined: October 16th, 2015, 11:20 pm

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by JamesOfSeattle »

How about: the ability to solve problems.

*
User avatar
ThomasHobbes
Posts: 1122
Joined: May 5th, 2018, 5:53 pm

Re: meaning of intelligent?

Post by ThomasHobbes »

Its hard to measure without imposing cultural bias.
A lump of wood, a chisel, a saw, and a screwdriver.

Which is the odd one out?

A 'civilised' person would chose lump of wood since it is not in the category "tool".

A person who is not literate might choose screwdriver since you chisel saw and wood can be used together.

Yet literacy is not intelligence.
Post Reply

Return to “Epistemology and Metaphysics”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021