Intellectually inclined for self fulfillment or to garner positive attention?

Question

Do you push yourself to learn new things for the sake of learning or do you do it for the response from others who positively react to your level of expressed knowledge? Often I see people who attempt to be intellectual because they want to know-it-all and be authoritative, but occasionally I encounter people who seem to be almost naturally intelligent. What do you think about this?

Answer 1

I learn for two reasons: a) because I want to get a good job in the field I like, and b) because I am interested in certain things, so I read the newspaper to be up to date, and read popularist science and horror books because I enjoy them.

As for others, I would say the majority do it for interest, because who could really be bothered learning something they weren't interested in or didn't easily benefit them (eg studying) jsut to show off?

Generally I find the type of people you are talking about to have poor depth of knowledge, and that's how you can find them out. They know one fact about many things but can't back it up with reasons or talk about related subjects.

I hope this sort of answers your questions!

Answer 2

I enjoy learning things,I think it's an essential part of individual growth.

Answer 3

Everyone does it for both reasons. No exception.