what do you think?

[psycojones]

great minds discuss ideas. average minds discuss events. small minds discuss people.
eleanor roosevelt
do you think this statement is true?

[crisaor]

I think that it sounds nice, but it's incorrect. It's very hard to discuss ideas without mentioning the people who inspired them, for instance, or about events without the people that took part in them, or about people without mentioning their ideas, or their beliefs, or their bahaviour. Also, just because an idiot decides to discuss about a random idea (saying whatever comes to his mind, no matter how ridiculous), doesn't make him a great man, IMO.

[Lara]

An interesting quote. I wonder what Eleanor Roosevelt thought a great mind, an average mind, and a small mind were? I think ideas, events and people go hand-in-hand. You can't have one without the other. If she is thinking about intellectuality, well, I think more people are capable of intellectuality, but, most people choose instead to stagnate, they fall into a rut and never come out. They stick with what they perceive as their only happiness, so if they gossip all day long about other people, then I guess they are small minds, in her opinion anyway, that doesn't mean to say that a person is not capable of more than just that idle gossip. Okay, I'm staring to ramble and I'm not sure where I'm going with this. Anyway, I disagree with the statement.

[atiguhya padma]

I think she probably meant 'focus on in their discussions' rather than discuss. That would make more sense to me. Still, I am not completely convinced of the idea. It might depend at which event she said it, and to which people!

[psycojones]

i agree for the most part with what you guys are saying, but, i was told to think about it for the day. then think and observe all those who discuss ideas, events, and people. when you put it to the test eleanor was on to something. i sat and watched those who did nothing but talk about others during a lunch break. gossiping over who is seeing who, why this guy did that, what was she thinking, is was quite amazing. then i watched those who came out of a history class and listen to them talk about the events which unfolded at that time and how they were going to funnel there ideas on a piece of paper that was going to be graded one week from today. they had nothing great to offer as far as ideas, just how they were going to present their paper. then their is those who go to class and theorize on something they think may be the next big discovery. i sat in a different part of the student lounge and listened to these sciences 'geeks' talks about a theory on which they are working on, and they were trying to present proof to this theory. now i understand these are only a couple of events with in a world of different people, but went put to the task, i was amazed to find it to be somewhat true.
hey lara how are you doing? i think i understand what you were saying, but let me ask you this. can one show intelligence in their feild of interest, and yet not be an intellect?

[IWilKikU]

Ideally I agree with the quote, but there are too many holes in that theory to say that it is "right", like that examples that Crisaor pointed out. But on a superficial level its ok, but how 'bout this, A GREAT mind would discuss all three.?

[atiguhya padma]

Maybe Eleanor Roosevelt and Psycojones are both being immodest:)

I firmly believe that intelligent people criticise beliefs and less intelligent people criticise people.

[crisaor]

Originally posted by IWilKikU
Ideally I agree with the quote, but there are too many holes in that theory to say that it is "right", like that examples that Crisaor pointed out. But on a superficial level its ok, but how 'bout this, A GREAT mind would discuss all three.?
Close. But I think all people discuss the three things at some point, so, you wouldn't be able to tell their intellect in this way.

[Lara]

What a great thread you started Psyco. I love this sort of conversation, something to make a person think, hm?

<Can one show intelligence in their field of interest, and yet not be an intellect?>

Great question! In my opinion, a simple answer would be yes, because we all have our strengths and weaknesses. To me intellect is more than just intelligence, it's deeper thinking, and I think one can develop their intellect if they so choose. Myself for example, I don't consider myself to be highly intellectual, but do consider myself intelligent because I have the ability to learn. I have only just begun to develop my intellect in the past couple of years because I have decided that I wish to develop my mind and way of thinking. Actually, I feel a bit intimidated on this website because it appears most of the active posters are students in their early 20's, and there are some smart and intellectual people here, whereas I am in my mid thirties. I wasn't such a deep thinker at 20.

I also think one can be an intellect and be quite stupid. Some people seem to have the ability to think and comprehend things that others cannot begin to, yet, simple things in everyday life are a burden to them. Some people have no common sense.

I don't know if any of this makes sense and I tend to ramble sometimes, but, thanks for the conversation.

Cheers,
Lara

[amuse]

Lara, if it makes you feel better I'm in my fifth decade at 34.
And more interested in humanity than my intellect. Though I am trying to juggle "Bleak House," "Crime & Punishment," and four classes as well as my boyfriend and other good friends :).

[psycojones]

cool answers. if makes you feel any better lara i am 30. as i mentioned before i have an engineering background but i am attending philosophy classes to broaden my ways of thinking. although some of the homework assignments are weird. example; i am to write a paper on this question,"imagine you are a butterfly dreaming you are human?" wish me luck. anyone else wishing to give their imput?

[atiguhya padma]

Psycojones,

Read Thomas Nagel's What is it Like to be a Bat?, that should help.:)

Might help some others round here too, come to think of it.

[Lara]

Okay, you guys are cool. Yes, it does make me feel better, thanks. There just seems to be talk about lit I've never even heard of and can't get in on the conversation because of it. Amuse, great for you to tackle those classics. I'm just starting to read some classics and sometimes they're a tough read.
Psyco, philosophy classes to broaden your way of thinking, great idea. Best in your endeavors to all.

[psycojones]

thanks ap, i am on my way to the book store now.

[atiguhya padma]

Psycojones,

It's an essay in a collection entitled 'Mortal Questions'.

If you enjoy it, I would recommend The View From Nowhere by Nagel. It is his masterpiece.

What Is It Like To Be A Bat had a huge effect on consciousness studies.

Atiguhya Padma

[psycojones]

thanks ap, i am on it.

[fayefaye]

I hate being in discussions about people, but they're inescapable. Events are boring to discuss, but common place because we have the strange notion they impact on us, even if they don't. Ideas make for great discussion, except that it seems a lot of the people I know aren't interested in talking about them. I like discussing ideas, issues, opinions. Especially with people who disagree with me. :) But you know, good conversations are rare. I think Eleanor was right, though. It seems there is an inverse relationship between how much people talk about appearances and other people and their intellect.