What classifies someone as being “stupid”?

Question

Please, serious answers.
I know asking this probably doesn’t make me sound the brightest, but I would really like to know what you think.

“1. Slow to learn or understand; obtuse.
2. Tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.
3. Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless: a stupid mistake.
4. Dazed, stunned, or stupefied.”

I experience many of these symptoms at different times, but it seems everyone does at one point or another. Many people have said I’m very “smart” “bright” etc. but I honestly don’t know... What do YOU think makes someone “stupid”? And I mean in a more personal way, not so much what it means, but as to when someone actually can (in a matter of speaking) be classified as it.

"stupidity is ignorance by choice.” I personally disagree. I believe that someone can be ignorant, but it does not necessarily mean they are unable to comprehend things etc.

Answer 1

We all get chances to be fools. I take at least one opportunity a day to be outstandingly stupid; it's good for me.

As to someone who is chronically and unchangingly stupid, I think it's like pornography: it's hard to define, but you know it when you see it. I'd define true stupidity as some of the hapless characters that show up in the Darwin Awards. If you don't know about the Awards, Google it, and be prepared to read some of the most amazing tales of Stupid Behavior you ever read!

And, incidentally, I don't think this was a stupid question at all!

Answer 2

I'd have to say, 5. A self-imposed limitation created by a lack of recognizion for one's own gifts and talents.

What I mean by this is that there are many types of intelligence: some people are what I'd call "classically smart" -- you know, they are good in school and score high on every IQ test they take, etc. However, there's music intelligence, artistic intelligence, street-smarts, people who just intuitively understand other people, etc.

I don't think it's at all a question of IF you're smart, but rather a matter of discovering HOW you are smart. -- Don't sell yourself short, friend. :)

Answer 3

Some people are "stuck on stupid" which means they live in constant breach on all 4 of your above descriptions...these people should not be given forks or anything sharp for that matter at the dinner table. YOU....and I....just happen to stumble into 1-4 occasionally just like everyone else. When I think of stupid people I tend to mostly go with #2.

Answer 4

Ignorance is when you don't know something, so anyone can be ignorant if they are not informed or taught correct information. And some people have trouble learning things, so eventually they can be considered stupid if they simply cannot learn.

Generally what classifies someone as "stupid" is when a person remains ignorant after being given the information to overcome their ignorance.

So stupidity is ignorance by choice.

Answer 5

I would say people who hurt themself and those who love him/her as stupid. With that classification, to your point
1. slow learner is just slow learner
2. if poor decision or careless mistake is not repeated, then not stupid. If repeated, then not learning and keep hurting oneself or people who love one would be stupid
3. same as point 2.
4. dazed, stunned or stupefied is a mental state reacting to a situation not previously encountered, then not stupid.

Lastly, thinking that one has all the anwers in life is just not mature, not necessarily stupid until immaturity hurts oneself and loved ones.

Answer 6

Stupidity is the quality or condition of being stupid, or lacking intelligence, as opposed to being merely ignorant or uneducated. This quality can be attributed to both an individual himself (e.g. Penny Person is stupid) or his actions, words or beliefs (e.g., Penny Person's policies are stupid). The term can thus also refer to poor use of judgement, or insensitivity to nuances in a person who is otherwise intelligent. The determination of who is stupid is relatively difficult, despite attempts to measure intelligence such as IQ tests.

Answer 7

I don't think that classifies someone as stupid... unless that's meant to sound like a permanent condition!

Everyone acts like those things listed from time to time, it shouldn't be an evaluation of someone's entire being that they are "stupid"!

I guess if someone is consistently like that though, every minute of every day and always fails to learn or recognize the mistakes and attempt to correct them, then I guess they might be "stupid". i think someone stupid is just someone who fails to understand most things on any level, someone who is extraordinarily shallow and ignorant.

Answer 8

Intelligence is not only indefinable it is also immeasurable...Einstein obviously known as a somewhat of an idiot-savant, theories of relativity and all but had to be help in dressing himself and tying his shoes...Constant displaying of irrelevant regurgitated knowledge is not in my opinion intelligence. But for some reason a person can always tell "Oh well he/she is just plain stupid"

Answer 9

only having the brain capacity to understand a 22 letter alphabet like italia's
rest of europe has 26 letters.

Answer 10

You have made some valid points. Some of the questions asked on Yahoo, indicate ingorance to me.