2007-04-03 09:38:02 · 14 answers · asked by Sniper of Goth 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
No, you don't have to be intelligent to be happy, but it is often helpful.
Intelligence sometimes contributes to the ability to make decisions in our lives that will ultimately make us happy. Also, intellectual pursuits are very rewarding and fulfilling, so that is a type of happiness that only the intelligent can really obtain. Accordingly, however, this is a kind of fulfillment that a less intelligent person isn't likely to ever desire in the first place, so they're not likely to feel at any kind of loss for not having it.
A keen understanding can also be disillusioning and burdensome, and can impede happiness as often as it facilitates it. There are plenty of things in the world to be unhappy about, and the less able you are to realize and understand these things, the less they threaten your happiness.
I think each person has the capability to be happy, regardless of their level of intelligence. There isn't a universal formula for happiness. What will bring happiness varies, at least somewhat, for each person, so the only guaranteed impediment to happiness would be a failure to do what is right for oneself.
2007-04-03 10:50:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Sometimes being too intelligent can be a curse! High intelligence often leads to fatal pride.
Human intelligence develops from conception. A well-cared for a loved newborn baby is really happy but they're not too bright at that age.
Retarded people are very happy when they can lead a full life surrounded by love and opportunity.
2007-04-03 16:55:16 · answer #2 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be an intelligent human being, but not and intelligent happy human being!0!
You're going to have to go beyond the human factor to be happy. Maybe become a super human first!0!
Good luck!
2007-04-04 10:27:02 · answer #3 · answered by Alex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your answer would seem to depend on your definition of happiness. If happiness is not simply a sense of emotional fulfillment or an intellectual accomplishment, but is instead, the fulfillment of one's purpose in life, it would seem that if one's purpose was not to be all that intelligent, that happiness would be possible, even if you were as dumb as a box of bricks.
2007-04-03 17:01:53 · answer #4 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Less intelligent people tend to be happier because they don't have the tainted knowledge more intelligent people have, hence nothing with which to be concerned.
2007-04-03 16:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by Gawdham 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not sure if you mean just inteligent or educated as well.
gonna answer to the latter.
if you liv in an enviroment of people who don't understand the way your mind works, if you can see beyond the cheap tricks the institutions of power try to mislead you and other do not, you are bound to be unhappy.
it's veeery frustrating...
2007-04-03 17:19:56 · answer #6 · answered by sanja2lica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no...what is intelligence anyways....how much you know...knowing a certain amount of facts...if you have enough "intelligence" to perform a daily action such as a certain job or school then you can be happy.
2007-04-03 16:44:47 · answer #7 · answered by psdifficult 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, ignorance is bliss. Unless knowing the cruel fate that awaits your tormentors and enemies make syou happy.
2007-04-03 16:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly doesn't hurt...
You'd have to at least be intelligent enough, to know that you're happy!
2007-04-04 00:58:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, one needs to be content with who they are and their circumstances. Look at a mentally handicapped child, they are the happiest people around.
2007-04-03 16:47:26 · answer #10 · answered by toomeymimi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋