Which is more effective - intellectual or physical strength?

Question

Or is the combination of the two the ultimate persuader?

Jack P
I don't agree with you but your interesting answer is at the top of my list for 10 points so far.

I agree with Mad Cow but the points have to go to Jack P

Answer 1

Physical strength's definitely more important if what your are doing requires physical strength.

Intellectual strength can't possibly be particularly important because we possess so little of it.

Ultimate persuader's always been muscle, longest sword, highest muzzle velocity, heaviest artillery throughout human history, thinks I.

The intellect is how we rationalize to feel it ain't so, or to find a way of accepting that while true, it isn't worth concerning ourselves about.

Answer 2

Well, it would depend on the situation. In some instances brute strength is necessary for survival (if you're trapped under a large boulder for instance. It would be helpful if you could push it off!) In other cases, intellectual strength is necessary (when you're writing a test for instance or trying to solve a problem. Maybe you'd plan well enough that you'd never end up underneath a boulder.) Overall I would say that intellectual strength is more effective because it will enable you to come up with practical solutions no matter what you're faced with. Plus if you are smart enough you can avoid situations where physical strength is necessary (such as being in a fight etc.) Often people resort to brawn when they lack brains. Nothing can conquer mental strength. In a war, it isn't the strength of the soldiers that will win (of course it helps), but the strategy & planning of the men behind the scenes.

Answer 3

Depends how you view things - whether you're an eagle or a dove. If we're dealing with someone who believes only in physical strength, then we'll win nothing by taking the intellectual approach as ultimately they'll use force to take what they want. Only if we had the physical strength to match, or overcome, would we be able to resolve the situation, and then we would have a win:lose situation. If, however, we're dealing with people who dislike physical confronation, then the power of words will be far more effective, as a mutually acceptable and long-lasting solution is more likely to be reached, without personal injury to body or emotion, ie., a win:win situation. It has to be said, however, that historically it was the physically strong who usually came out on top. But how long did their victory last? It may have taken time but, given time, the vanquished often returned from the ashes to greater glory!

Answer 4

Ultimately, intellectual strength wins out. Briefly, tigers are endangered, man (in the short run at least) isn't.

Intellectual strength can harness muscular strength, but not vice versa. The horse pulls the cart, the man steers. Who is using whom, and why?

Politically, the same thing happens. Politicians are often nasty, but usually fairly bright. You don't get far in trying to run a country (or for that matter a company, a hospital or school) with big muscles and an IQ of 90.

Again, intelligence wins out technologically. Man has invented tools and machines, massively increasing his capacity over that of chimps or gorillas, who both have more bodily strength than us.

Two ways to put it, one polite, one not:
.....Intelligence is a force-multiplier.
.....Brains baffles bullshit - every time.

Answer 5

Ancient Greece had some of the greatest minds in the world, until of course the Macedonian wars in which Rome eliminated many of them. Beijing had some of the greatest minds in the east until a man named Genghis Khan sacked it with his mongol hoard.

The subtly of course is that the invaders weren't stupid, they had great minds of their own. They exercised a combination of intellect and strength into effectiveness. And of course the key ingredient is the willpower to use both effectively.

Answer 6

I would have to say that emotional strength is stronger than both. Hell hath no fury as a woman scorn. The passion of Christ has molded many for thousands of years. The greatest accomplishments were achieved by pure determination alone. Just a thought!

Answer 7

well,it depends upon the situation but i think intellect is more effective. the brighter you are then there is high chance that you'll succeed. you really don't want physical strength even if you have a well built body if you are as dumb as a roach or you'll earn the title " a shell without a nut".
but the best way is to have both qualities to be perfect. with that, the problem's solved..

Answer 8

Obviously it depend on the situations... But as a general rule I believe that reason and common sense (Intellectual strength) its the only solution to any conflict!

Answer 9

Depends on who you try to persuade. Most people don't listen to reason. No matter how flawless your logic may be, some individuals just won't have it. Then you have the people who would die for their beliefs and will withstand any measure of torture and even death to remain faithfull to their stance.

When you have beaten someone on the plane of logic though, I would say that's far superior. You have won, but that doesn't mean you've achieved persuasion.

Answer 10

You may not be able to out fight an animal stronger, or faster than yourself, but as a human being you will always be able to out smart an animal. However I think a combination of the both is probably the best. If you can't buy time to figure out how to out smart the animal then you won't survive.