I don't know about anyone else's life, but in mine, the people I've thought of as highly intelligent are usually not the happiest people. To me, the purpose of intelligence is problem solving. But that would mean that you have to notice flaws first, which more thoughtful people seem to do more of. People have told me that I am an overthinker, but I can't help it. What do you think?
2006-07-26 02:48:42 · 12 answers · asked by Subconsciousless 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Yes I agree. I think too much aswell. It is known that many of the worlds geniuses, like Einstein, were not very sociable and many had mental problems, I would assume related to thinking too much and not sitting back to enjoy life from time to time. Sometimes I wish I was a bit more stupid, then I would probably enjoy life more and not expect so much from myself.
2006-07-26 02:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by Jimbo 6 · 8⤊ 3⤋
Ok. It is ok to question or overthink things. It means you continue to learn and grow while others are still where they were years ago. (intellectual wise.) And there really are some smart people who make dumb decisions, but we can't always get it right the first time.
I wouldn't be happy if i were dumb. Because then I would never question anything. I would just take someones word for it and never really experience anything, which means you arent really living. life is full of opposites. up down back forth sweet sour short tall right wrong etc. and some get so set in thas the way things are supposed to be that they dont ask why. Which is what you are doing.
Some of us are not made to slove problems. It overloads the brain and they cant differentiate between their life and the problems they are trying to solve. Thats why I am glad there are overthinkers like you. Because of that everyday there are new cures found for diseases and new products made for humans and their lives to help us in the future. So thanks for being an overthinker and i hope this helps.
2006-07-26 09:58:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance is bliss...yes! And knowledge can be a burden. I also think that ignorance can be a burden and knowledge bliss....it really depends on the person and the situation. Would I be happier if I were dumber? No. Happiness is a state of mind that is more about choice rather than knowledge or ignoance. You are only as happy as you choose to be...regardless of your intelligence, wisdom or education levels.
Of course...life can be simpler without responsibility...and they say "knowledge is power"..."with power comes responsibility". Ahhh yes..."Ignorance is bliss".
2006-07-26 10:15:16 · answer #3 · answered by lilmissmouse921 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I spend my whole life trying to run away from my thoughts, ignorance is bliss sounds just about right to me. The trouble is problems don't get solved, they just go round and round in circles in you head, The more you think the more perspectives you take the more insane you get. I think it is why people try zone out in front of the tv. It doesn't work though because if you are a deep thinker you just can't get interested in the tv enough to distract your thoughts. Maybe loud music and vigorous dancing is the only way. No wonder people try to kill brain cells with alcohol and drugs.
2006-07-26 10:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by sereneicequeen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The opposite of ignorance is knowledge.
Ignorance is not bliss at the time you are ignorant, it's just that people look back having gained knowledge and wish they hadn't, feeling retrospectively that their ignorance was bliss.
As for your question. High intellect is a form of mental disability in my eyes. As with many things in life it's better to be in the normal range.
It is also important not to confuse intelligence with wisdom. Wisdom can bring you happiness and the role of intelligence in bringing you wisdom is dubious. In balance I would agree with you and say that high intellect gets in the way.
But don't stop thinking. It is your gift, even though solitude comes with it.
2006-07-26 09:58:06 · answer #5 · answered by mince42 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance isn't always stupidity. One can be very smart and very ignorant at the same time.
In terms of being dumb -- you wouldn't necessarily be happier. Dumber people (more often than not) implied as simple people, seem to take greater pleasure in well -- simpler things. But, do not confuse dumb with simple.
It is not about the level of intelligence that you hold -- its how you use it. You can be chipper or you can be miserable -- its up to you in so many instances.
2006-07-26 09:54:42 · answer #6 · answered by xskix598 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that being intelligent is the best way to be, because you can deal with your environment better.
You have to be incredibly stupid for "ignorance is bliss" to take effect. People on different levels of retardation aren't blissful all the time. They can be really frustrated with themselves because they can't cope with the world and people are always making fun of them. Lobotomy patients are ignorantly blissful, but only because they are living vegetables. I don't know anyone short of a lobotomy patient that the ignorance-bliss rule plays on, but I don't have much experience with this.
2006-07-26 09:56:06 · answer #7 · answered by Lioness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to play the game,
you should follow the rules. if not. you are on your own! no prizes no money, still if your nature is funny
you will smile
all the while.
most of us are social products and miss company and their
interaction with us. Group rules rule. [cannot be ignorant.]
ignorance is bliss= is typical of those sage sayings that are fixed in their time. long gone by!
TODAY,IN USA'S society
JUST TO GET ALONG
YOU MUST KNOW AND BE MORE OF A LIVING INTERACTING PERSON...
or you will be seemed as stupid- retarded and just happy.
2006-07-26 10:00:43 · answer #8 · answered by herbywalker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the key to happiness is simplifying your life. I don't think it has to do with intelligence. If you surround yourself with people and things and situations that are important to you (and sorting all this out may take awhile), I believe you'll be a happy person. Things get complicated and unhappy when there's too much "junk" cluttering up your life.
2006-07-26 09:57:36 · answer #9 · answered by clarity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an intelligent person myself, I would say that I am not always happy. It is difficult to "turn off" my brain at times and just enjoy things.
2006-07-26 09:53:53 · answer #10 · answered by Biskit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're very right. i've often heard people reminiscing about how happy they were as a kid because they were "care free and didn't have any worries.."
you can't worry about what you're not aware of. i'd probably go base jumping ALOT if i wasn't aware of the threats like me blacking out, or the parachute not opening, etc.
i suppose the more you know, the more you realize you don't know! it's a pretty vicious cycle of worry and concern!
2006-07-26 09:53:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋