I use to think that being an intellectual was a noble goal, but time has taught me that it is not enough, for there are plenty of so-called intellectuals who lack heart or conscience. Not only that, but their so-called intellectualism often separates the ones who claim it from the common folk, and that, in its very nature, is actually non-intellectual. Nowadays I just consider myself a well-educated, world citizen, and humanist.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Yes and No. Yes there are, unfortunately, those 'elitist' Intellectuals who appear to have the opinions that their shit does NOT stink, i.e. are so far up themselves that they clean their teeth via their anus.
And No, there Intellectuals who, like you ( though I can often seem to be quite verbose at times and so I ask your forgiveness for my human faults) and I are, are as down to earth as you can get, i.e. non-pretentious, do not suffer Snobs and fools willingly, etc, etc.
Triphid
Level 9
Sep 12, 2020
0
I hear you saying intellect and valuing learning is actually good, but also not sufficient. In secular terms, you describe the difference between an arrogant elitist and a thoughtful humanist. If I have caught your drift correctly, I absolutely agree. 
MikeInBatonRouge
Level 8
Sep 12, 2020
1
Intellectualism is OK as long as the individual doesn't take him/herself too seriously.
Alienbeing
Level 8
Sep 11, 2020
1
In my younger daze I was told by everyone that I use such big words. (??) Today this is not so. I have stayed the same while everyone else changed. It's hard to know what some people are talking about when you did not change along with them. I am still with the common folk but cannot be around them much. They stress me. I am a world citizen but not so well educated and often self taught.
DenoPenno
Level 9
Sep 11, 2020
1
A definition of an intellectual is one with a highly developed intellect. If we consider our brains as a muscle which, if developed, broadens our perspective, what could possibly be ignoble about the urge to expand one's intellect?
And how is the presence / lack of "heart and conscience" related? Is it not possible for anti-intellectuals to lack these things as well? And since when did the aspiration to develop one's intellect become an 'ism?'
If I seek to expand my intellect through careful study, reading and thought exercises, I most certainly do not see my journey as existing on an elevated plain above the 'common folk.' Such distinctions reek of a snobbery that has no standing today.
p-nullifidian
Level 8
Sep 11, 2020
3
Practically any word can be used with the "ism" ending that refers to labels people place upon themselves, so I do not see how you see this as something any different.
"And how is the presence / lack of "heart and conscience" related?" Think Donald Trump . . . narrow-minded bigot who has no understanding of people outside of his little circle . . . then think Carl Sagan . . . if you miss that, I cannot, and will not attempt to explain it any clearer.
@Archeus_Lore I believe the distinction that @p-nullifidian was debating was that people of all intellects can lack heart and conscience. It is still good to attempt to expand your mind.
(It seems to be the people that think they know everything and cannot take expert advice that get into the biggest trouble, from what I can see.)
@girlwithsmiles As a Teacher instilled into his students back in the 60's when I was one his many students, " Those who seek to know everything about ONLY 1 subject eventually ends up knowing little or nothing about everything."
He would add to that by saying, " Your minds are a bottomless pit hungering for knowledge, do NOT restrict them to just one single subject."
I suppose I could say that I took his 'motto' to heart.
@Triphid I’m not sure i agree with your teacher, it is good to have specialists that know one area well; but we need those with a wider knowledge to see the impacts and implications of the information that specialists supply. We also need other specialists in the same field with the ability to check each other’s data and make sure that it’s verifiable. Hmmm 
@girlwithsmiles Well I think you'll find in the fields of Medicine most Doctors start out their Medical Careers as "general dogs bodies' type Doctors and then gravitate towards whatever field they may feel suits them later, at least that's how was when i a nurse.
Hence in Ancient Egypt, for example, what we call a General Practitioner was more highly regarded than a Specialist such as a surgeon, etc, since the G.P. had to have a far wider knowledge than the Specialist.
@Triphid, @Archeus_Lore You and I agree that Donald Trump lacks a heart and conscience, however he is the furthest thing from a so-called intellectual (or 'intellectualist' if you prefer) that one might get. Despite his 'stable genius' claims, Trump is the consummate 'anti-intellectual' who appeals to the lowest common denominator in society.
@Triphid true, but that’s not the case in all fields, my mother was a midwife and had to do her nursing first, I don’t think all fields are like that though.
@girlwithsmiles Well, you are kind of preaching to the choir here.
I too was a nurse first then went into becoming a Mid-Wife, or as the women in the Maternity/O.B.U. Wards would call us " Mid-Misters".
I started my nursing training way back in 1972 when there was no going through Universities, just 8 weeks in the Training School every 12 months and between those rostered on to work in the wards for 3 years.
For the first 12 months, as a Trainee, aka Green skin, you got ALL the dirty jobs, the hard jobs and had Supervisors watching your every move, the second year you got things a little easier and a lot more responsibilities on the job and so on.
@Triphid I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for your years of care and service to others, and for the dues you paid to get through your training!
More than 30 years ago, when I was in the Air Force, both our children were born at Malcom Grow Medical Center on what was then called Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. My wife's experience with our second child was significantly enhanced by the midwifery program that had been instituted since the birth of our first child. Her midwife was a calming and steady presence that greatly eased her labor.
@p-nullifidian No need to thank me, as a nurse it was my pleasure to help and aid those who needed me.
The persuit of learning, and the use of one's intellect to solve problems, are both commendable, Stating you are better than people because you have a superior intellect isn't; as pride is never an attractive trait. But the fact that some people use their learning as a way of claiming superiority over others should not stop other people valuing learning, anti-intellectualism is equally unattractive, and in the current world often quite dangerous.
JoeB
Level 6
Sep 11, 2020
4
Most definitely.
Sounds biblical to me. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 ...we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
Word
Level 8
Sep 11, 2020
0
The bible mixes this shit all up, they pretend to claim that arrogance is evil, but challenge their faith, and you will "burn in hell" for being wrong!
That's a battle cry, not enlightening. Religion is war on intellect
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