Do you think of yourself as an intellectual?

Question

This question was inspired by the delightful intellectual kate lomax :)

Answer 1

Off I trogged to the dictionary before answering this question, mostly to reassure myself that I know what intellectual means, as self doubt began to erode my certainty. Here's what the Oxford English Dictionary says it means:

• adjective 1 relating or appealing to the intellect. 2 having a highly developed intellect.

• noun a person with a highly developed intellect.

Answer - yes.

Answer 2

I used to. Then I developed the ability to see myself, not the person I thought I was, and realized I'm as much of a dumbass as anyone else. Sometimes even moreso.

I think there are more pseudo-intellectuals than actual intellectuals. That is, people who think that the world would be a perfect place if everyone just agreed with them, unilaterally.

Typically, these are very frustrated folks who constantly ask 'Why?'

If they were so darn smart, they wouldn't have to ask!

Answer 3

Given the sheer deficit of intelligence in the majority of those around me, I am inclined to conclude that yes, I am an intellectual. I like to question the "facts;" I like to read supporting(and non-supporting) data; I like to think. These things cannot be said of most Americans. We need more people capable of critical thinking in this forum and in this nation.

Answer 4

I consider myself a tempered intellectual. Over the top intellectualism is obnoxious.

Answer 5

I consider myself average... I know a fair amount and can use common sense (e.g. i'm anti feminist, but I wouldn't vote to see women put 'below' men, or wouldn't ignore a woman who had fell over & needed help).
I'm glad Shingothiny relies on his writings to evidence his intellect... that's answered my question about him as I know most I've spoken with have great difficulty unravelling his nonesensical responses peppered with uneccessarily large words which are intended to 'wow' people with. A wise writer once penned "Why write Metropolis when city will suffice?" and I stick with that understanding.

Answer 6

If is the kind of intellectual that adheres strictly to information in books without ever using common sense, not a chance. Otherwise, no.

Answer 7

In my opinion empty minded people can be called intellectuals

Answer 8

No.

The mind can be either a servant of the heart, or a servant of the ego. It is the latter for the intellectual.

Answer 9

I connect into the Intelligence of the Heart.

Answer 10

Well I read Nietzsche, Kafka and Dostoevsky for fun. I enjoy talking about philosophy, history and literature.

So yes, I do.