Is there a link between intelligence and suicide?

Question

I've heard that ignorance is bliss. However, I've seen studies that demonstrate the link between lower IQ scores and suicide. What's your take on it? Do some people "think too much" and find life meaningless, or do others seek a quick exit because of ignorance? I'd like to bring up the fact that many amazing artists, musicians, and writers have committed suicide.

Sarcasm (especially if not used properly) isn't appreciated.

I'm not asking for opinions on the "correct" choices with regard to suicide. I'm also not asking for attacks on those that are currently suicidal. I'm asking about the link between intelligence and suicide (from a logical standpoint). I'd like to point out that in many highly intelligent people, there is a lack of religious belief. Therefore, intelligent people tend to be more isolated and less reliant on "spirits" or things that aren't real.

Answer 1

I think I have to agree with you in the fact that a lot of intellectuals tend to neglect spirituality. I think they reject it because it cannot be scientifically proven. Intellectuals tend to have a level of integrity that forces them to be honest with themselves. And if they honestly reduce life down to a nihilistic singularity, that can be overwhelmingly depressing. Knowing that all they love and hold dear is going to inevitably die and wither as all form must do, they will tend (over time) to become more remote and detach themselves from people so that they wont be hurt.

I believe that in order to move forward in life and feel good about it, you have to have some faith. I am agnostic personally. I keep an open mind, and although sometimes life can seem bleak, I have a sneaking suspicion that there's something special going on just under the surface.

I caught a firefly yesterday. I didn't want to eat it or kill it. I did it because it was beautiful. Nothing Darwinian in that. Small things like that give me hope.

Answer 2

News - The Link Between Intelligence and Suicide Risk
... lower on intelligence tests may be more likely to commit suicide than their ... The Link Between Intelligence and Suicide Risk ...kidshealth.org/research/intelligence_suicide_link.html - 20k - Cached - More from this site - Save
Intelligence and suicide - The Washington Times: Commentary
Can anything be done to stop suicide bombers? Only by forcing a change in a ... No intelligence agency can predict the exact time and exact place of the next ...www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20040217-084610-4812r


There a good start and a very good question was in my pyschology class study years ago. :-)

Answer 3

Yes you are correct. There are studies done on this. Perhaps some of us think too much. We might worry & be more empathic. This is painful. Some don't have thick skins.

Having a lower iq, could mean basic survival is more important. Compared to the above, that could mean less philosphical questions/answers
are sought; hence a higher level of satisfaction.

With so much suffering & confusion, suicide could look like a viable intellectual solution to an emotional problem.

Answer 4

Bipolar people as an average have higher IQ's than average. The are also very creative. Many of the greatest musicians like Beethoven were probably bipolar. Many great artist including Van Gough probably have bipolar. Bipolar individuals have about a 20% chance to commit suicide. They are more susceptible than any other group.

Answer 5

You have brought up an interesting point. I personally feel that Artist and Musicians and Writers who have commited suicide were perfectionists who thought themself inadequate for society.

The link I have provided for you is a report that says that younger men who score low on intelligence tests are prone to suicide.

Answer 6

I don't think so. Artists, musicians, and writers are creative. Very creative people have temperaments that are also sensitive and maybe feel the pain of life more intensely than some others do and to me that explains why that group may commit suicide perhaps more than others. The very gifted may also have some differences in the makeup and genetics of their brains making them more prone, too.

Answer 7

now and returned, particular. some very vivid or sensible human beings can not settle for defeat or failure of their lives to that end they turn suicidal. And now and returned, rigidity from mom and dad to maintain on with of their footsteps as powerful human beings could additionally set off a extremely sensible guy or woman to commit suicide. The link between a individual with an exceedingly severe IQ and suicide is this individual feels improved and lives an exceedingly patterned unstressful life and any deviation from it would reason him to sense insecure like his international is slowly crumbling down and he does not understand a thank you to guard it. What greater valuable way yet to end it by surprise?

Answer 8

Less intelligent people have less mental resources with which to solve their problems. They may also keep trying to solve problems in stereotypical ways ("I just leave it all to God") that aren't always effective. Contrary to what some people might believe, it's great to be smart and most geniuses are not social retards or suicidal. It is important to note that many of the intelligent historical figures who have committed suicide also have mood disorders, and it was depression that got them, not intelligence per se.

Answer 9

I think to end ones life is ignorance. It is the product of a greedy, frustrated mind. Intelligence in its unbounded truth is the dissolution of ignorance. IQ is only the expertise of the mind to remember things and to perform extraordinary feats, it is a minute part of the real intelligence. By the way I think ignorance is not a bliss.

Answer 10

I don't think ignorance is bliss.

Not very many intelligent people kill themselves. Just because you're an artist, musician or writer doesn't mean you're highly intelligent.

They should be smart enough to see the brighter side of life and acknowledge their options.