How do you become more intellectual?

Question

Seriously. If you want to become better at basketball than someone, than your practice more. If you want to become a better cook than someone, than you buy more expensive recipies. But how do you become smarter, a deeper thinker, and a more intellectual person than the person who knows EVERYTHING?

Answer 1

Buying more expensive recipes makes someone a better cook? Not necessarily.

You hit part of the equation of self-improvement in the part of your statement about basketball. To get better at a skill, practice of proper technique can be invaluable.

I have some problems with the nature of your final question, though. First of all, I seldom see the value of intellectualism as a competitive sport. I think the true value of knowledge and understanding comes from constantly trying to improve one's self, not from trying to be better than "that person" or "this person". Not to mention that your hypothetical "person who knows EVERYTHING" doesn't exist.

Also, I think you're confusing two separate things to equate "being smarter" with "knowing more". It's a common misconception - that the acquisition and recitation of facts are somehow indicators of intelligence. After all, most of us think the people on "Jeopardy!" to be quite smart, no?

The two are not so closely linked, though. People can learn massive amounts of information, but lack an ability to critically analyze that information. That case would mark a person as the flesh and blood equivalent of an encyclopedia. Useful for attaining bits of information, sure - but you wouldn't ask the Encylcopedia Britannica to make a decision for you.

Of course, there is some correlation. People inclined towards critical analysis tend to desire a more in-depth understanding of issues and situations, and so *may* be better informed as to the complexities of a topic. Just thought it was necessary to point out that these are two different things.

So, what's your goal? Is it to know more facts about a topic or series of topics than another person? In that case, pick your topics, find some reliable books of reference, and start reading. Take notes if that's your style, develop some memory mnemonics if they help you remember, et cetera. But I would suggest that this is not a very rewarding endeavor, by itself.

If your actual question is about critical thinking skill - if you want to enhance your ability to examine situations, make decisions, etc. . my suggestion would be to focus on understanding the nature of logical analysis and critical thinking. These topics aren't touched on nearly enough in American education - I don't know where you are from, but my (limited) knowledge tells me this is true in most educational systems.

Look for books in your local library or bookstore - or just do a little bit of internet research - on critical thinking and logical analysis. There's a wealth of material out there that explicitly details the structure of argument, logical deduction, and so on.

For interpersonal debate, I find a study of logical fallacies to be invaluable. One of my favorite books on this subject - although by no means authoritative - is called "Attacking Faulty Reasoning", if you're interested. There are, however, plenty of free resources out there on this topic as well.

Hope this helps. Learn, try to understand, practice analytical skills - it's not all that different from learning to play basketball.

Answer 2

I'm just going to answer this based on my opinion, without any research:

Ways to become smarter or smarter than the KNOW-IT-ALL
-Take a foreign language
-Get a new hobby/interest and read all about it
-Visit Yahoo Answers often
-Hang around intelligent people and ask a LOT of questions
-Research the topic your "friend" knows everything about, and test him/her by mentioning various things during a discussion
-Watch educational TV (History, Discover, TLC)
-Read poetry, write poetry, interpret poetry (why was it written)
-MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL....Do more listening and observing, then talking.

Hope that helps

Answer 3

Think more... Challenge everything... I mean, absolutely everything. Read philosophy to start... There are plenty of things to agree and disagree with, but start making those bounds on your own thoughts not someone elses...

Answer 4

Read a lot more. And also have an open mind about the subject you are reading.

Answer 5

READ MORE! and take time in the day just to lay down and think.

Answer 6

Most of all "Learn new words"

Answer 7

read more books newspapers or whatever interests you