Does intelligence lead to close-mindedness?

Question

There seems to be a common misconceptiont that Christians are close minded. Normally the person asserting this claim is yelling so loud he doesn't hear any of the Christians around him. I'm wondering if it's possible the more intelligent and educated a person gets, the less open to suggestion he tends to be. He is so rooted in his own "intellengence" that he condemns anyone who disagrees as being uneducated and "close-minded". What do ya'll think?

Answer 1

Maybe "intelligence" should be defined.

I consider it (in the sense we're talking) to be "raw brainpower."

Unfortunately, it has little to do with how one views and treats other people and their opinions, how closure-oriented one might be, how imaginative or perceptive one might be, and so on.

Some smart people combine raw mindpower with common sense and empathy. But I know people with IQ's who could sink battleships and know more than ten people combined, yet I wouldn't want to spend time in their proximity because they just don't know how to relate to other human beings in a meaningful, considerate fashion.

(Their hubris makes them blind, and it's revealed in their comments even while they're telling everyone how "smart" they are and how "stupid" others are being.)

In the same vein, I know people who have average or less "raw brainpower," who might only do average in school, who will never read Nietzche or Heidigger or Lucan or Descartes in their spare time (nor understand it if they even bothered), and yet they're a joy to be around and you can tell they really "get" what life is about. In that sense, they're the "smartest" people I know.

So I think it depends on the person. I do know some smart atheists/agnostics who do listen and try to understand, even if they're attached to their viewpoint. Same thing for smart religious folks. I also know some smart folks of either type who are insufferable to talk to.

I think we all have opinions, and most of us have formed them from SOME sort of input and thinking process. So it's reasonable to say things to support our own conclusions. I think the big difference is whether you're open to seeing things from another point of view, even if you don't agree, and in not ridiculing others before you even have heard them out (let alone afterwards).

Most of the comments in these forums seem to have little to do with how people live anyway. I'm less interested in someone's intellectual arguments and more interested in how they treat others AND how they actually live. (Do they consistently follow what they claim to believe, and/or do they live differently?)

If people knew each other in real life, not as just viewpoints, they'd probably get along better than you'd think from here.

Answer 2

Intelligence does not lead to close-mindedness. I'm sure that there are a lot of "intelligent" people who have evaluated the Christian religion.

Now you could apply the same question to Christiainity. There are many other religions out in the world. Does being a christian make you close-minded to those religions? In short, the answer seems to be "yes" for a great majority.

Answer 3

It is possible, but what makes you think that the person doing the yelling is intelligent? All sorts of people are close-minded and it has nothing to do with their intelligence.

I am very intelligent and well-educated, yet I try to keep an open mind, avoid racial, sexual or religious discrimination and listen to what people say. Also, I am Christain, but not aggressively so, but I love to talk to people about their religion, culture, etc. Not to change their minds, but to understand their viewpoint.

Spent 2 hours in Malaysia in a cab talking with the driver about the differences and similarities between Muslim, Hindu and Christian religions - great talk and very eye-opening!

Answer 4

Perhaps, but I think a part of it is that an more intelligent person needs more substantial proof than a person of lesser intelligence would need.

That being said, I think that comparing faith in a religion and intelligence is the ol' apples and oranges comparison.

Answer 5

The intelligent person is (1) more open-minded to new evidence but (2) less open-minded to new superstition.

Intelligence just makes a person look for supporting evidence, and not accept something based on faith or tradition.

Answer 6

josh,it isn't intelligence,it is ignorance of the truth. when any one accepts a concept (IDEA) as being all there is to know about that idea,becoming opinionated, their mind is closed to futher awareness on the idea.THEN,"THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND AS THOSE WHO WILL NOT SEE". this is true whether the idea is a christion idea or jewish idea, or atheist idea,or a 10 year old illiterate persons idea. LOVE Whistle Britches

Answer 7

I think some people get so carried away with thier own "intelligence" they can't see past the ends of their own noses...they don't appear to me to be nearly as "intelligent" as they think they are...especially when their idea of an IQ test is whether or not they accept a religion. How completely insane!!
It would be amusing, if it weren't so tragic......

Answer 8

Good point. The only caveat I would give is that most Christians are intelligent, and are learners. Also, many have high educations (PH D's, Masters degrees, etc). But I understand what you are saying. They think they are wise, but are fools.

Answer 9

What type of intelligence are you measuring?

Are you seriously catagorizing "intelligent" people as close minded? Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you trying to speak against exactly what you are doing?

Answer 10

nope other way around. an intelligent person is open minded, can see things from different perspectives, he asks questions and tries to find answers. he doesnt close his eyes and believe what hes told. that my friend, is closer to ignorance.