Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Beyond Human Intelligence vs Wisdom

Why does society (i.e. in media) seems to favor intelligence over wisdom? It seems as though people try to boast at how smart they are and put down those who are not intelligent. It's like you have an IQ of 160, a genius chemist, but you want to blow up the world. What happen to focusing on goodwill and wisdom?

I guess this question is sort of like asking "Why does society seems to favor sexy-looking over inner beauty?"

The answer is simple. Most people are not wise. I have a friend who has an IQ of about 160, and genuine wisdom on top of that. When she tries to communicate, some people get it and some people don't, regardless of their IQ levels. Her take on it, after a number of decades, is that some people are able to understand and others simply are not.

My take on it? George Bush and Michael Dukakis both got straight A's in very difficult schools, yet their outlooks on life are radically opposed. Intelligence is nice, but ultimately being more intelligent doesn't make you more correct in your perceptions.

Hello,

I saw this post and just had to reply. I am currently in Navy Nuclear Power Training and I am amoung some of brigthest people I have ever met. It seems to me that everyone here is so smart that they lack not only wisdom, but common sense. I really wonder how these people will function in an emergency. Not to scare anyone...but it is true.

If any of you all are trying to "increase your intelligence".....I certainly wouldn't worry about it....unless you desire to work in a basement at MIT designing a new Neutron Flux Cannon. I would recommend working on People skills, before any sort of intelligence....don't get me wrong...I have done PR and the whole bit, but I don't bury myself in it. Start by reading Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Put these rules into action, my friend, and I will guarantee you it will take you further than any intelligence will. Many leaders I have met are not so intelligent...they just have great people skills, an Aura of self confidence, and a normal inteligence level.

Ever hear of the saying that A students work for B students who work for C students?

George W. Bush actually got fairly low grades at school. He probably isn't an extremely intelligent person....but he surrounds himself with intelligent people. He is a leader....not a thinker.

I think you will find that what people admire depends on the community that you are in. Some communities admire intelligence....others admire leadership and charisma...it all depends....If you are wise and your friends don't think you are intelligent.....find new friends.

Good Luck to you,

JR

It's interesting, I've known some "genius" level people who can't hold a conversation. They literally cannot communicate. They have no common sense, they are basket cases in general. It's actually scary since these people are so highly regarded and yet they are highly likely to hurt themselves because they haven't grasped the day-to-day common sense.

As stated above, I think that people skills can get you more places than intelligence alone.

Tracey~

There are different forms of intelligence - emotional intelligence being one of them. If one was to increase their EQ, one would essentially be increasing their people skills.

There is value in increasing one's intelligence, ideally by increasing all the different types of intelligence in a balanced way.

Both are good, but wisdom wins hands down.