Assume someones level of intelligence?

Question

Why do people that disagree with others, right away assume that they know how intelligent others are just because they disagree with their views.

Answer 1

Some people on this board clearly lack intelligence (or at least a 6th grade education) but most disagreements I think revolve around ignorance. People who use ad hominem attacks, or accuse others of lacking intelligence because they disagree, are really just showing their own ignorance.

Willful ignorance is the worst kind. Refusing to alter your belief even in the face of overwhelming evidence that it is false. Most fundies have been taught that faith is a virtue, and the more you believe something that is clearly false, the more virtuous you are.

Answer 2

Because they are insecure or ignorant. If one is intelligent, they awe aware that we all come from different backgrounds and have different points of view. Tho we may hold fast to our beliefs unless proven wrong, we must not try to put down someone else for their point of view. Only by hearing the other person, are we able to effectively communicate. We can learn new things this way, and sometimes realize just how right we are. But, we must give the other person the ability to speak their point of view also. and truly listen and then discuss it. Also, you cant tell someones intelligence by how they communicate. so easy to judge, but WRONG. Some people are very intelligent, but have difficulty in getting their point of view across. Many have never been given the chance to voice themselves and dont know how. And, many have things that are causing a certain learning disability, or a disease, that prevents them from communicating effecitively. I once knew a man with cerebal palsy that could not talk, but I spent much time with him, and learned to dicipher what he did manage to groan out, and I found him to be a very intelligent man, and I was blessed by knowing this man. We cant assume someones level of intelligence. Because sometimes we would assume right, and yet other times be very very wrong. True communication is the key, which means speaking and also listening.

Answer 3

The only time I tend to assume lower intelligence is when someone posts "facts" that aren't facts at all, but their own conjecture, yet they desperately cling to their misconceptions. This becomes apparent, for example, when someone uses a private, biased website and calls it fact because it suits their personal opinion. Sometimes it is not hard to spot ignorance, but that doesn't necessarily mean low intelligence, just a lack of education. Pointing out their lack of intelligence or education is another matter altogether. It's better to just supply the correct information and leave it be, but sometimes disgust gets the better of us and we strike out with an ad hominem attack. I try not to do that, but once in awhile I've been guilty of it.

Answer 4

People that tend to disagree with others right away often interrupt the other person speaking and therefore are not listening to what the other person is saying. Also, just because they don't agree with the person they shouldn't judge people opinion. As the saying goes: "Don't judge a book by it's cover."

Answer 5

When people can't argue a point, they try to deflect other opinions and lower such opinions to such a level as to be disregarded. It's usually the mark of a poor debater. People who know what they're advocating would not need to resort to such tactics to support their opinions because they would be able to poke holes in the opposition's argument rather than in the opposition itself.

...But that's assuming that the person actually has a valid point. If what they're supporting is utter bull, it's not going to be winning any arguments, regardless.

Answer 6

I often accuse people of limited intelligence. However, it's not that they disagree with my views but what there views are based on and how they are framed. I can disagree with peoples views yet still respect them.

Answer 7

Usually people that find others intellectually challenged, based solely on a disagreement of an opinion, are usually closed minded. I think that open minded people will at least listen and either dispute, absorb, or accept a thought completely without feeling they are speaking to an idiot. Diversity in itself shows intelligence.

Answer 8

Well, sorry Learn, but when you believe Christ is going to come back on a magical horse because you felt something funny in your tummy when you are five, that's one thing. But when you are 55 years old and using your tummy feeling as an excuse to hurt other people, deny civil liberties to 10 percent of the population, and using your "faith feelogic" to support illegal wars and the murdering of innocent people, I am going to take a WILD guess (i guess) about the intelligence factor. If these people aren't stupid than they are pure instruments of evil, and I would rather choose the former. Best wishes.

Answer 9

It is easy for an Atheist to think that someone that believes in a ficticious character is less intelligent. Similarly it is easy for a theist to believe that an atheist is misguided, therefore less intelligent. My point is that the perspective in which one gages intelligence is biased by their own beliefs.

Answer 10

Wishful thinking?

We all want to assume that OUR beliefs are reached through intelligence, experience, understanding of human nature. We all want to assume that anyone who holds a DIFFERENT belief has reached it through ignorance, emotionalism, and immaturity.

It's a mistake all opponents seem to make.