Are smart people on average less ignorant and behave ethically more correct?

[noname223]

I am really not sure.

I had the feeling this quantum physics professor was extremely against the discrimination based on intelligence.

I think education can give people the ability to reflect about their behavior. The people who ruined my llife (my parents) made it because they were ignorant. Like thinking abusing your children violently would be good for them. I think this is one reason why I associate bad things with some stupid people.

The behavior of my former therapist was ethically totally insane. And I often perceived her as very stupid. But I think she felt offended by that and acted like that because I was smug to her. The thing is though: the usual therapeutic approach would have been to tell me that. I think I also rightfully stated that her diagnostics procedure isn't consistent. She was probably mad because of that. But it simply was the truth. And then she made the most abusive shit in therapy I ever witnessed. Was this an act of stupiditiy or total moral corruption? I tend to think its both combined. She wasn't aware of the consequences of her actions. And I get the feeling people who are not that bright often don't think about the consequences of their actions for other people. It is one thing to ruin your own life, but to ruin the life of others is a moral disaster. One could argue they are not capable of doing that and could use this like an excuse.

One could further argue: there are smart people, who could theoretically reflect on their actions but willingly decide to act in destructive ways to other. Like this chemistry master student. But in some way her condition is an excuse for her behavior. But then comes the question how much empathy should one have for psycho- and sociopaths? There might be some of them with a guilty conscience or try to act against their nature. But the incentive structures in a society need to be clear. Otherwise we are incentivizing crimes and immoral behavior.

There is a person in my autism group. I think the extremely smart woman I had a date with was annoyed by her. This woman seems to be pretty dumb and acts really rude in the group. But it is obvious she is not aware of that. I am morally in a difficult position. Her behavior isn't good and we should tell her that. Otherwise other people behave in similar ways. On the other hand, I think she wouldn't get it anyway. I am not the organizer of the group. Some members gave her subtle hints that her behavior isn't good and she isn't listening to it.

There are many very smart people who act very evil. In fact it is likely the people who do the most damage to this planet do this consciously and are well aware of it. The most evil people who do huge damage to our societies are probably pretty smart. Otherwise they wouldn't be in position with so much power. So being smart certainly doesn't make you immune of acting evil or ignorant.

I think I am heavily biased on this question because my parents are stupid as fuck. My mom actually thought beating the shit out of me on a daily basis would be good for my development. I am not sure whether one can make the case she is evil. Because the intentions were not to harm me. (totally insane...)
Personally, I have the theory she thought this would prepare me for the brutal reality of life. Well she introduced me to a never ending cycle of suffering and unnecessary pain, probably with the only escape in suicide. So thanks for that.

One thing to add. I think intelligence is not correlating with self-awareness. It is more dependent on personality traits.

 

[Dejected 55]

Smart people can be ignorant... and also smart people can be evil or at least ethically questionable. There is not necessarily any reason to equate intelligence with good at all.

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

One thing to add. I think intelligence is not correlating with self-awareness. It is more dependent on personality traits.

Smart people can be ignorant... and also smart people can be evil or at least ethically questionable. There is not necessarily any reason to equate intelligence with good at all.

Exactly. It's also important to remember how problematic IQ tests are in general. Some of the best people I know have intellectual disabilities. Some of the worst people I've met brag about their IQ score (and degrees, and licenses and and and... )

 

[Forever Sleep]

Maybe it's more to do with a person's character/ level of empathy/ sense of morality.

I definitely think it takes a certain amount of intelligence to be self aware enough to analyse your own character and behaviour. I imagine all of us pick up good and bad habits from our parents for instance. Do you know much about your parents upbringing for example? Was it so very different to yours?

I think a lot of people simply end up replicating what they themselves have experienced. Of course, it can work the other way. If the experience was bad- we may try to ensure that we don't treat people the same way.

I think there are certain personality and neurodevelopment disorders that greatly affect how a person interacts with the world and others. I imagine narcissists, sociopaths and psychopaths can all be highly inteligent. Their actions can also be extremely questionable! So- I think a lot of the time, it's about a person's character- as to whether they are more kind or cruel.

As for your therapist. I'm not sure it's because she's (according to you,) stupid that she's made callous remarks. It sounds more like she's simply human and a bit unprofessional.

I don't think many people enjoy being judged though. We sometimes retaliate when we feel like we're under attack. The power dynamic may also be upsetting for her. While therapists shouldn't abuse their power- they probably do want to feel superior to their client. They likely don't want to feel manipulated by them. What you've described sounds more like a struggle to regain control and respect- rather than a malicious attack on your character.

It sounds as if you have openly questioned and demeaned her professionalism (maybe witn reason but...) That could be quite frightening I imagine for her. Who likes their job possibly being threatened if the client decides to report them or, spread about bad reviews etc? Maybe at that point- she could have used more intelligence to realise that to retaliate in some way would only make matters worse. I suppose though, we're all driven by emotion at the end of the day. Maybe some are more capable of tempering their emotions with reason. I suppose that requires intelligence. She seemingly tried to use her intelligence (and power) to try and out- fox you. I think you said during one session, she claimed she was going to report that you were delluded or something- during it.

I'm only seeing it very removed here and- without all the facts so- take it with a pinch of salt. From what you've described recently though, it sounds like things got unpleasant because of your proposed application for benefits for having been abused in childhood.

That seemed to be something she didn't want to support you on. Rather than keep it professional and just say: 'This isn't something I feel I could support you with.' It seems like she made a derogatory comment that you were trying to milk the system. That may be her opinion. It doesn't seem like the best opinion for a therapist to hold- seeing as they ought to be taking their client's claims of abuse seriously. Although- proving them to the extent of obtaining benefits I'm sure is more tricky. (So I do actually understand why a therapist would be unwilling to back a client on this.) However, I don't think she should have expressed it in that way.

Maybe it is intelligence that makes us temper or filter what we want to say- for fear of repurcussions often. But there again- we may hold quite prejudiced and malicious thoughts but realise- to express them would get us into trouble. So, just because someone seems nice, it doesn't mean that they always are. Maybe intelligence can help us merge into the herd but, it doesn't necessarily mean we're a good person deep down.

Think about the really notorious serial killers. The ones that maintain a family life, go to a job, go to church, run clubs. How much intelligence must it take to live a double life like that? Loads I imagine.

There again, I think if we are more stupid, maybe we can hurt in a more clumsy fashion.