So anyone who doesn't agree with you...?

Question

Is spewing idiocy?

How much is your opinion of another person's intelligence based on whether or not they agree with you?

(Inspired by a recent post...)

Lol, thanks guys. I feel better now. :-P

Answer 1

Pretty much sums it up, thanks for the clarification.

I do not give into the arguement from authority when discussing such loose terms with such great impacts.

Answer 2

I don't think that, but when you have stated what you believe, and they continue to belittle and demean what you believe, then it becomes another matter.

I'm happy to talk to anyone who disagrees with me, and a lot of times, I can see their point of view, and am willing to discuss with them why they feel the way they do. Then I try to explain my views. That way, we may still disagree, but we know where each other is coming from. As long as we each have respect for each other, the conversation can be uplifting and knowledgeable for both of us. It's when one is being closed minded, and unable to even hear me out that I have a problem with. If a disagreement can be handled by talking and discussing, all the better. If not, then it's the other persons fault. I have done all I can to help them understand.

I think that is idiocy.

Answer 3

I don't think you can judge anyone's intelligence based on how much they agree or disagree with you. I believe ZC VT to be an extremely intelligent woman and I disagree with most of what she says. Usually when someone begins to attack intelligence, it is a Christian being attacked. I have been called brain-washed, close minded, unable to think for myself, un-educated, ignorant, etc. In reality, I am well read, educated, rather open minded, seek out things for myself before I make an opinion, and have a higher than average IQ.

Answer 4

It depends wholly on the content of the other person's argument, I myself don't automatically assume the other person is an idiot simply because they don't agree with me. However, the method they use for arguing their points, the information they rely on (if any) to argue their points, and the basis for their disagreement can quickly point to a deficient intellect.

In case you hadn't noticed, there are a lot of people who start spewing absolute nonsense when faced with someone who doesn't agree with them on a matter. If you needed any proof of this, look around the internet in general, and Yahoo! Answers in specific... ;)

Answer 5

Not much, really.
If someone bothers to check their facts, makes a coherent argument, and at least tries to make a rational statement, then it doesn't matter whether they agree with me or not. I look for differing opinions, to give me a new perspective on various issues. It's all about how one presents their views, not what one's views happen to be.

I've actually been pretty nasty to people who DID agree with me, because they resorted to unintelligent rantings.

Matters of religion, belief, fashion, and aesthetics are all opinion. Unless someone tries to force me into their way of thinking instead of reasonably discussing things, or outright denies reality, I'm happy to entertain disagreeing opinions on all sorts of things.
Like some of the posters here, saying that people are going to hell; you people may very well believe that, and I understand. But I don't believe in your Hell, and I believe that any afterlife punishment is usually temporary. We disagree, but that doesn't mean I respect you any less.

Answer 6

Everyone should always agree with me. If they followed the simple rules of twist-it logic:

I'm always right.
They disagree.
Therefore they are wrong.

It's simple see?

Just kidding of course. I was being completely sarcastic, or was I? ;-)

You would think that is case given some of the answers I've seen.

Our opinion should never be a factor in determining someone else's intelligence.

Answer 7

i think if someone has a point they can share without resorting to phrases like "thats just the way it is" or "because you should", they're actually thinking for themselves and have intelligence. Christian and Buddhist monks seldom have trouble understanding each other since they've both felt the same spirit in them. Names for concepts are important only to the people who haven't experienced the feeling which can not be described.

Answer 8

Well, yeah, I AM always right, so everyone really should agree with me.

Unless they want to spew idiocy.

Another person's intelligence is often based on whether they can understand why you think you are right and why you think they are wrong, while not necessarily agreeing with you.

Answer 9

There are a lot of very smart people who can be wrong at times, or can be wrong about something, outside their field of expertise. When it comes to spiritual matters, a person can be very intelligent, but not aware of certain things spiritually, because he/she is not tuned into that particular focused area you bring up. The spiritual is my life's focus, so of course I am confident I know a lot about that area, and can judge others as to how thourough, they are focused in that area also.

Answer 10

I am not concerned with another's intelligence nor his/her opinion of me.

My only concern is whether or not a person is headed for hell. I will, to the best of my ability, point that person in the right direction to avoid eternal punishment. It is that person's choice to accept or deny the offer. Their intelligence or opinion of me is irrelevant.

Answer 11

Sounds like a step-son of mine and his immediate family. Nobody else's reality, despite defenitions to the opposite exist, are viable. So I don't judge people, I just use common sense and if they're going to be hateful or silly, I just rack it up to causes and conditions and drop the storyline. Anything else would be arrogant and unkind. As long as he's not causing harm, he can play in his own reality as long as he's happy to do so.

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