Why do people think that intelligence is based on how many facts you know?

Question

Just because you know a lot of stuff doesn't make you intelligent. What do you think intelligence really is?

Answer 1

I've always thought of intelligence as being quick on the up-take.

I notice that entertainment has a really weird idea of what intelligence is and what intelligent people are like, on the whole (not all TV, movies, and such, but a lot of them).

The intelligent people I know don't run around spouting facts or sounding like textbooks.

They can learn fast (you don't have to explain everything 20 times before they get it), and can think well.

In general, on the whole, by and large, since intelligent people pick things up quickly, they do tend to know more stuff.

But the two things aren't identical.

It has more to do with whether you can USE what you know, than simply having memorized a bunch of gunk.

Answer 2

Intelligence is how much you know in a certain subject. There are seven different intelligences that a person can be good at. There is almost no one in this world who can classify themselves as intelligence because they may be good in one area but not another. I am a lazy person, so if you want to learn about the different intelligences then go to this hyperlink below. It tells you what you need to know about intelligence.

Answer 3

Intelligence is not the facts you know, but what you do with what you know. You should know why you do it, how you do it. when you should do it and with whom. THAT is intelligence. These things don't have to be studied in books, but could be learned from just living.
Some people are born with this ability to be able to coordinate and use what they know for proper application and understanding, some of us have to learn how to do it and to the very left few...well, at least they know the facts, or lets hope they do.

Answer 4

Because they are not really intelligent. Real intelligence is understanding who you are in reality beyond this material body. We are not this body, IE race, color, nationality, Religion, job, mind, intellect, etc. We are eternal spirit souls, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, also known as Krishna, Allah,Jehovah, Vishnu, etc. We never die only the body dies. Real intelligence is knowing what to do at the moment of death (what to think and who to think of) otherwise one can transmigrate into 8400,000 different species of life or end up on a miserable planet. Best to end all suffering and material births. Otherwise we have to get old and diseased and die. again and again. Chanting the Maha Mantra (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion) is the quickest and easiest way to end all suffering for info go to harekrishnatemple.com Read Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada tells how and is has the highest knowledge.

Answer 5

Knowing facts is not intelligence, that is just memory. Computers have that, but no intelligence of their own. Intelligence is the ability to apply inference and deduction to those facts to determine previously unknown facts or develop theories to be tested.

On the other hand, Socrates said, "The first thing a wise man discovers, that is: the thing that he discovers that makes him wise, is that he knows nothing."

Answer 6

I think that knowledge makes you intelligent not something you just memorized so you can show someone that you know a few things, but real thoroughly understood information, as well as knowing what to do with the knowledge one acquires than just acquiring it and not applying it.

Answer 7

Its how you make judgements & how much common sense you have. Its Street Smarts. I have a friend who left school at 15. She is really smart because of her journey thru life.

Answer 8

Its based on how many facts you use, Ace.

Answer 9

yeah i agree... some people are way smarter than others it just depends what question is being asked

Answer 10

it's how constructed your brain is. in other words, your understanding.