Is intelligence a burden?

Question

The greater the intelligence you possess the more pressure you have on you to use it to do great things, from both yourself and others. Is it more enviable to be stupid and happy just living simple life?
For that matter, would it be better to be a monkey sitting in a tree eating bannanas all day?

Answer 1

An intelligent person can choose which obligations he/she wishes to take on. They are not inevitably thrust upon them.

A person lacking intelligence, however, may be excluded from an opportunity because of their shortcomings.

So while an intelligent person may choose to sit in a tree eating bananas, an unintelligent one would not have choice of being a (successful) rocket scientist.

Since intelligence offers more options to the possessor, it is not a burden, but a tool.

Answer 2

I guess intelligence can be a blessing and a curse.
But i would rather bear the 'burden' than be a stupid monkey sitting in a tree eating bannanas all day.

Answer 3

Intelligence is a double edged sword.
On one hand, intelligence allows a person to make good choices and succeed in life. Most criminals are of low intelligence, and low intelligence increases the likelihood of serious interpersonal problems.
On the other hand, intelligent people must wrestle with an enhanced understanding of their own impotence to change things in the world over which they have no control. People with lower intelligence just turn on the TV and have a good leer or guffaw.

Answer 4

It may very well be - but is not having a burden necessarily the best life possible?

I think that humans, being meant to suffer and endure, can differentiate between sadness and happiness. In fact, it takes some intelligence just to REALIZE that you are indeed, happy. While the monkey eating bananas may be SATISFIED, is 'satisfaction' synonymous to 'happiness?'

However, it is ultimately up to each individual to answer this question..

Answer 5

Since the vast majority of humans are stone stupid intelligence is a burden.
The pressure is too do stuff for the lazy and incompetent not great things.
Enviable no simpler yes.
Monkeys work harder than that but no where near as hard as wage slaves.

Answer 6

Solomon -- considered the wisest man in history by Judeo-Christian standards -- wrote, "With much knowledge comes much sorrow." It's in the book of Ecclesiastes. Still, I'd rather be smart than stupid -- intelligent people generally have a higher standard of living than their not so intelligent counter-parts. How many smart folk do you know living in poverty?

Answer 7

i have a 170 are so IQ. and i researched and discovered the actual medical cause and cure for osteoarthritis and am writing a book and having a website made and founding an arthritis association and will share this info with the world soon.Its very hard for people to relate to me. intellectual.they simply can not comprehend .when i was young people would always ask me why i had to use such Big words, and wonder about what i was saying .people are very simple minded.God blessem

Answer 8

Smart people "see" more than people of average intelligence, which can be a burden.
I have often wondered if I would be happier as the village idiot, but I know I would rather be as I am.

Answer 9

God made us the way we are and we have to develop to our full potential, if that means gaining intelligence then fine do your thing.

but i think, apart from that, it's good to be educated and not stupid, but you can go over-the-top as well. i settle for the happy medium.

Answer 10

Intelligence is a burden only when ignorance is bliss!