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When in doubt, go with C.
What is YOUR definition of an "intellectual"? If you are one you won't really have to think about it. Someone called me that and their definition of it threw me. We'll get into that later if I can find some good answers. I want to know YOURS.
Any thoughts?
When in doubt, go with C.
No, they make my head hurt~
For me, an intellectual is one who is well-read, skeptical, insightful, and resists being part of a group.
I'm not saying that's the definition, but it's my definition. And to me it's complimentary, though there are many consider the term "intellectual" to be a pejorative.
big words make brain have pain...
For me, an intellectual is someone who takes an active interest in expanding their horizons, if only (or especially) for the sake of it.
I have to agree with SRJ. I would add that an intellectual doesn't jump to conclusions also. I could think of other things, but why? Like SRJ, I agree there will be differences in opinion.
Intelligence itself doesn't have any specific characteristic. I would consider it to be an above average understanding of one or more fields.
in·tel·lec·tu·al
–adjective
1. appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.
2. of or pertaining to the intellect or its use: intellectual powers.
3. possessing or showing intellect or mental capacity, esp. to a high degree: an intellectual person.
4. guided or developed by or relying on the intellect rather than upon emotions or feelings; rational.
5. characterized by or suggesting a predominance of intellect: an intellectual way of speaking.
–noun
6. a person of superior intellect.
7. a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge, as aesthetic or philosophical matters, esp. on an abstract and general level.
8. an extremely rational person; a person who relies on intellect rather than on emotions or feelings.
9. a person professionally engaged in mental labor, as a writer or teacher.
10. intellectuals, Archaic.
a. the mental faculties.
b. things pertaining to the intellect.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < L intelléctuālis, equiv. to intelléctu-, s. of intelléctus intellect + -ālis -al1]
Being more conservative that liberal, I like these two. We conservatives tend to operate in these manners rather than being guided by emotions, political correctness, etc.
someone who's intelligent enough not to refer to themselves as one.
A man big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them and strong enough to correct them.
Does anyone else see the irony of MrChug making a thread about "intellectuals"? I hope so.
Bonus points for casually dropping the fact that some poor soul referred to him as one, as if the whole point of this thread wasn't simply to inform everybody that someone in this world actually thinks he's smart.
A person who does reading outside of Spurstalk
Anyone who uses 'pwn' or any similar "hip" counter-spelling is automatically disqualified.
What if they use 'pwn' in its proper context, and not just for the sake of it? Because I use both 'own' and 'pwn' to mean the same thing, it just depends on what I'm feeling like using.
Mr. Dictionary pretty much nailed my definition.
Unless said "hip" counter-spelling is being used as a form of irony or sarcasm.
A pompous know-it-all jackass who likes to hear himself talk and read his own posts.
well there's a load of intellectuals here then...
I just might be an intellectual.
An intellectual is someone who values the pursuit of knowledge at its deeper levels, and not just on the surface; someone who delves into the subject and examines the connection between various areas of knowledge; someone who tries to discover the why's and wherefore's, and not just the what's. I do not think that a person has to be devoid of emotion to be an intellectual. I also think a person can be intellectual AND spiritual, but some here will probably disagree with that.
As to the OP- it was probably meant as an insult, implying that you think you are smarter than the person who called you it.
or a redneck.
All politicians are intellectual.
I am a politician.
Socrates is a cat.
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