What does it mean to be an intellectual?

Answer 1

In modern times it has been used to describe a person who tackles life's questions using his reason alone.

However, in the traditional sense it could mean a serious scholar who seeks to "enlighten" his faith through the use of his reason.

Answer 2

To be an intellectual means that you value ideas and the life of the mind.

Answer 3

To use your mind creatively. You've heard the old saying, "I refuse to engage in a battle of the wits with one so unarmed." Someone who gets 'it.' Satire is intellectual. My 15 year old calls Seinfeld 'smart people humor.'

Being intellectual doesn't always mean that you're smart and being unintellectual doesn't mean you're dumb.

Answer 4

That you think deeply about things. That you involve yourself
in the pursuit of knowledge on many levels. That you are
philisophically inclined rather than having knee-jerk instincts.
That you are constantly striving for and practicing things
that will lead to enlightenment on any level of human
understanding. Basically, that you are using more than
just the small portion of the brain that seems to be the
norm these days.

Answer 5

An intellectual is a critical thinker.

Answer 6

"It means you entertain yourself with perceivably high quality subject matter. "

That sentence is a very intellectual statement.

Answer 7

isnt 'an intelectual' someone who makes a living from their intelect, for example a university professor, or someone published as a "serious" non fiction writer.

Answer 8

To have, persue and organise autonomous thoughts

Answer 9

It means to have knowledge and to be smart.