Intelligence is a whole set of characterological, mental and social qualities of an individual that contribute to meeting the expectations of society that are presented to members of a cultural society and other representatives of its highest part. Human intelligence implies a highly developed mental and cognitive processes, which allows a person to evaluate and make his own judgments about various spheres of human manifestation. It is also a certain personal maturity, responsible for the ability to make independent decisions and have one’s own point of view on the concept of the world order. Among the characterological characteristics, a person’s intelligence is manifested in reliability and tolerance, nobility, consistency of thoughts, words and actions, as well as the presence of an active interest in culture, history and art.
What is intelligence?
Intelligence is an acquired personality quality, a character trait. It shows that a person is initially ready to communicate within a decent framework. Such an individual is sufficiently educated and cultured.
You can have several diplomas and remain an unintelligent person. This means that intelligence is not always determined by the level of education. But even without it it is difficult to become intelligent.
As a rule, modern people, especially young people, belittle the importance of intelligence. They consider it unnecessary. Young people are sure that this quality prevents them from making their way in life. But this is a mistaken opinion.
A person works on himself and his shortcomings, eliminates gaps in knowledge, improves his cultural level, and studies the rules of etiquette. Only then can he be considered intelligent.
An intelligent person respects society and each individual. It does not disturb the order and does not attract attention to itself. But it is he who manages to achieve the respect of the majority. He creates a reputation for himself as a tactful, well-mannered and delicate person.
One is not born an intellectual, one becomes one. Therefore, everyone can increase their level of intelligence.
It is also worth noting that intelligence is not an indicator of one’s position in society. A person from lower social circles can be an intellectual, but a person with status does not always show his intelligence.
Origin of the word intellectual
Let's find out where the word "intellectual" comes from. The etymology of the word is related to the Latin language. Initially, the term “intellegens” meant a knowledgeable and understanding person. This is precisely the direct meaning of the word.
The interesting thing is that Russian people were not familiar with it for quite a long time. In Dahl's linguistic dictionaries there is no interpretation of the concept until 1869.
Subsequent explanatory dictionaries already explain the meaning of the term. In history, the intelligentsia is the educated part of the population that understands culture. An adjective has not yet been formed from it.
Philologist V. Vinogradov finds texts using the concept in Masonic literature of the 18th century. This means that Westerners have already used the lexical item. The word penetrated into the Russian language until the beginning of the 20th century. This is evidenced by the statements of V. Lenin. It is far from a flattering characterization of bearers of this quality.
The politician and revolutionary says: “Intellectuals are vile people. Their speeches sound like a call to action, but in reality they are weak-willed and useless.”
In Soviet times, intellectuals were shown contempt. They were considered physically weak, unprepared to fight, people. But they were still recognized as educated and smart. But in those days, the labor of workers and peasants was more valued. And they certainly weren’t intellectuals.
Nowadays, the word “intellectual” means an educated, intelligent, well-mannered person who is familiar with the norms of etiquette. He speaks correctly, he is trained in manners, he knows how to use cutlery, he understands art, that is, he is a refined nature. Tactfulness and delicacy are characteristic of every intelligent person.
Notes
- ↑ [https://linguaeterna.com/vocabula/index.php Dictionary] by I. Kh. Dvoretsky
- Kiselnikova T.V.
[https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=12157895 From the history of socialist thought. Socialism and philistinism in the discussions of Russian socialists at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries] // Bulletin of Tomsk State University. - Tomsk: National Research Tomsk State University, 2005. - No. 288. - P. 133. - ISSN [https://www.sigla.ru/table.jsp?f=8&t=3&v0=1561-7793&f=1003&t=1&v1 =&f=4&t=2&v2=&f=21&t=3&v3=&f=1016&t=3&v4=&f=1016&t=3&v5=&bf=4&b=&d=0&ys=&ye=&lng=&ft=&mt=&dt=&vol=&pt=&iss=&ps =&pe=&tr=&tro=&cc=UNION&i=1&v=tagged&s=0&ss=0&st=0&i18n=ru&rlf=&psz=20&bs=20&ce=hJfuypee8JzzufeGmImYYIpZKRJeeOeeWGJIZRrRRrdmtdeee88NJJJJpeeefTJ3peKJJ3UWWPtzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzbzzvzzpy5zzjzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztzzzzzzzbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzvzzzzzzyeyTjkDnyHzTuueKZePz9decyzzLzzzL*.c 8.NzrGJJvufeeeeeJheeyzjeeeeJh*peeeeKJJJJJJJJJmjHvOJJJJJJJJJfeeeieeeeSJJJJJSJJJ3TeIJJJJ3..E.UEAcyhxD.eeeeeuzzzLJJJJ5.e8JJJheeeeeeeeeeeeeK3JJJJJJJJ*s7defee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSJJJJJJJJZIJJzzz1.. 6LJJJJJJtJJZ4….EK*&debug=false 1561-7793]. - [https://avtonom.org/old/lib/theory/gramshi_ttetradi.html?q=lib/theory/gramshi_ttetradi.html Prison notebooks. The emergence of the intelligentsia]
- Lenin V.I.
Complete works. - M.: Publishing House of Political Literature, 1970. - T. 51. - P. 134-135.
Who belongs to the intelligentsia?
It is interesting that the explanation of what an intellectual is has changed over time. In Soviet times, this could be called a person incapable of physical labor. It meant that the person was educated and engaged in mental activity. If we talk about what kind of person can be called intelligent in the era of the USSR, then they were equated with teachers, doctors, librarians, cultural workers, that is, all those who did not work in factories, factories, or collective farms.
But the sellers did not find any signs of an intelligent person. This profession was even an antonym of the word intellectual.
One could come across the following expression: “You behave like a market trader.” It implied a noisy, sometimes vulgar personality.
The working intelligentsia are teachers, musicians, artists, doctors. They were an example. They could and wanted to imitate them.
An intelligent person is one who was laconic, chose expressions, and knew how to behave in society. It would be great if he was also educated.
An intelligent person was supposed to serve as a model for growing children. This is the standard of behavior and morality.
To tell a person that his behavior is unworthy, to reproach him, they told him: “Aren’t you ashamed! You are an intelligent person!” But in Soviet times, intelligence served as a sign of inability to live.
For example, no one was surprised by the teacher who did not know how to light a stove or chop wood. She was forgiven for her inability. She was an intellectual, white-handed.
At this time, such a concept as intelligent professions even appeared. Parents mentored their children and dreamed that they would choose an intelligent profession.
It is worth identifying the modern features of an intelligent person. In principle, contempt for the intellectual continues to this day in certain circles. But it no longer manifests itself so sharply.
So, let’s name the signs of an intellectual:
- tact;
- delicacy;
- good manners;
- knowledge of etiquette rules;
- ability to behave in society;
- education.
An intellectual respects the interests of other people, he does not interfere in other people's affairs, he understands where he needs to remain silent and not notice the obvious.
In simple terms, intelligent means brought up in accordance with the era and time. And since the rules of etiquette change over time, the meaning of the concept also changes.
In addition, an intellectual knows how to control himself. He does not give in to emotions, he seems cold-blooded. He does not allow himself to burst out with swear words when he is indignant or in pain. He remains balanced and does not make scenes of jealousy or throw tantrums.
When breaking up with a significant other, many people use expressions such as: “Let’s break up like intelligent people.” This means that the initiator of the breakup expects: quarrels, conflicts, reproaches, meanness, but hysterics will not follow. In this case, we talk about emotional intelligence. An emotional intelligent person does not allow himself to become rowdy. He keeps his feelings and emotions in check.
Perhaps he is very worried, indignant, upset or happy, but it is difficult to understand what is happening in his soul. He does not show anyone what he is experiencing and appears cold and unemotional.
article by Vyacheslav Ivanov entitled: “The Face and Masks of Russia”
Faces of Russia
Russia has two faces. I listed them above. These are all their pseudonyms. And these are their real names. Let's get acquainted now.
Lucifer and Ahriman
Vyacheslav Ivanov immediately says that he does not introduce these names in order to “convince enlightened contemporaries of their real existence.” But because these bright characters and their ideas are imprinted in different guises throughout Russia and constitute the main essence of our national empty discussion - who is right: who scolds the people or who scolds the intelligentsia who scold the people.
Lucifer and Ahriman are two god-fighting principles, which are both engaged in the fight with God. But they are one. These are “two different faces of a single force, whose name is Satan.”
This idea is a legacy of the ancient Gnostic tradition of the West and East; Ivanov did not invent it himself.
Lucifer is the spirit of indignation, the spirit of revolution, the spirit of selfhood.
Ahriman is the spirit of corruption, the spirit of ossification, the spirit of “it doesn’t matter.”
St. Augustine also called them both:
- "world rulers of the darkness of this age"
- and “military leaders of the Earthly City.”
Dostoevsky also called the demon Ahriman - “the demon of vulgarity and flatness”, Sologub - “a small demon”, “a weakling”.
But the best way for us to understand what Ahriman is is Vyacheslav Ivanov himself. Ahriman is where a person is deliberately corrupted and scattered into trifles, where a person is deliberately humiliated, “lowered into the very dirt,” presented as petty, insignificant. Where lawlessness reigns. The complete program of Ahriman (says Ivanov) is to lure the soul into Chaos, into inert matter - with crude sensual lures. And then the light will be “embraced by darkness”, will decay and fade away in it.
The program and ideology of Lucifer seem to be completely opposite. Lucifer is where people are exalted, where everything is refined, where the phrase “you will be like gods” and “What do you need gods for when you yourself are like gods?” is pronounced...
Ahriman is a soul spit on from birth, a dirty tavern, a barracks, drunken hari, murder for three rubles and boots taken from a dead man, child molestation, lack of paved roads, beatings and swearing over a child’s cradle. This is the absence of laws.
Lucifer is pride and individualism, this is “self-love to the point of hatred of God,” this is progress and science, the organization of society on “reasonable principles,” energy, will and self-affirmation, this is the thirst for immortality on earth. This is the triumph of the Law. (Above Conscience).
The sober brother Lucifer traditionally hates his drunken brother Ahriman, disdains him, reproaches him for his dirt and “ragged appearance,” for the unsanitary conditions, for the ugliness of his dirty face.
Ahriman also hates Lucifer, reproaches him for snobbery and pride, for sterility and for the ugliness of his face, too clean, too washed with soap, like Chichikov’s full cheeks.
But both of them, I repeat, are one. This is the secret. Dear ones scold only for fun.
It is not difficult to guess that the founder of Luciferic Russia is Peter the Great. Following him, the “party of Lucifer” was born in Russia.
Their main merit and work lies in the fact that they tirelessly spoke and continue to speak about the tricks of Ahriman in Russia, denouncing the builders:
- “Rus of decay”, opposite to “Rus of resurrection”,
- highlight Rus''s arbitrariness, violence and oppression,
- Rus' does not keep silent about atrocities, drunkenness, moral dullness and savagery,
- Rus' of rotten vulgarity,
- Rus' "desecration of the shrine of the human face"
- fury and malevolent destruction.
This part of the people, who saw all this, tried to create a new Russia, not Ahriman’s. On Luciferic cultural principles.
The leaven of Luciferic culture is the ideas of the French Revolution, atheism, democracy, citizenship and individualism. You will be like gods.
There is only one complaint that can be made against people who acutely hated “Rus Arimanova” with cockroaches in cabbage soup, and this is it.
These people saw with their own eyes only Ahriman’s Rus'. This is good. But they no longer saw “Holy Rus'” and, moreover, they did not believe in the possibility of its existence - whether in the past, in the present, in the future - or in some parallel reality, like Daniil Andreev.
And they taught their vision and their faith (the lack of faith in the possibility of Holy Rus') to others.
Examples of intelligence in life
An intelligent society is spiritually and morally developed. There is no place for conflicts, provocations, intrigues and gossip. Education and intelligence are closely related. A literate and well-read person, using the example of literary heroes, strives to increase his level of intelligence.
Let us repeat the statement: “Intelligent people are not born, they are made.” It is important to devote time to your self-development and education. Comprehensive development increases the chances of becoming an intellectual.
In our life we meet many intellectuals. It's nice to talk to them. They do not leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
The working intelligentsia is represented by teachers, people of culture, doctors, journalists, TV presenters and announcers. Of course, it is not worth saying here that each of them is intelligent. System failures occur. But the qualities of an intelligent person are immediately visible. He does not allow himself to raise his voice or shout at someone who is lower than him in status and social position. An intelligent teacher treats her students with respect. As a rule, children love and appreciate her.
Life is often difficult for intelligent people. It seems easy to offend them. They are vulnerable and do not know how to stand up for themselves. But society should value such individuals and look up to them.
An intellectual knows how to put himself in a person's position. He tries to understand the motives of the action; he will not allow himself to judge, much less do it behind his back.
Representatives of the Russian intelligentsia have been known to us since our school years. These are outstanding figures of science, literature, and art. As an example, we can cite A. Tchaikovsky, A. Solzhenitsyn, M. Lermontov.
Of course, I'm not encouraging you to become a writer or musician. But your behavior and actions should leave a pleasant impression of you. Then those around you will say: “what a most intelligent person!”
Is intelligence necessary in the modern world?
Let's summarize and establish why modern people need intelligence. First of all, we will be able to avoid conflicts, clashes, envy, and gossip.
We will learn to respect each other, we will be lenient towards the small shortcomings of others, and therefore we will become more tolerant and kinder.
Intelligent communication produces excellent results. It is not necessary to shout and push in line; you should watch your speech, learn to ask and respond to requests.
Many children and teenagers lack intelligence. They don’t consider it necessary to say hello, they are rude to teachers and parents, and they stoop to sorting out relationships with each other using their fists. They are not educated and are unlikely to become intellectuals.
Parents, by their example, need to teach the younger generation to do without rudeness, not to film a person who needs help, but to help him.
Unfortunately, there are very few examples of intelligence. Bloggers filming themselves in front of shrines, making fun of old people, do not serve as role models.
If you consider yourself an unintelligent person, then it’s time to become one. Take control of yourself and change your behavior and attitude towards life.
How to become an intellectual?
How to behave intelligently? First of all, you need to study the rules of behavior in society. Take time for your upbringing and self-development. It’s not for nothing that they say that you need to develop intelligence in yourself. This is a quality acquired over the years.
Follow these rules:
1. An intelligent person strives to understand the motive of someone else's action. He does not stoop to judgment and gossip.
2. He is demanding of his shortcomings, strives to eliminate them, but shows tolerance for the shortcomings of other people.
3. An intellectual is modest. He does not behave defiantly, aggressively, or provocatively. He is unobtrusive, punctual, polite.
4. An intellectual is tolerant. He understands that people are equal, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, status, social and financial status. He respects both the child and his peer, and the older, elderly person.
5. The intellectual supports international views. Nationality does not in any way affect his attitude towards a particular person.
Read classical literature, observe the behavior of respected people, adopt their habits, be tolerant of people, but do not become narcissistic, do not become proud. Then they will say about you that you are an intelligent person.
The essence of the concept through its components
Intelligence is the ability to think independently, to make judgments about the affairs of people and the manifestations of the universe. This also includes such ethical concepts as nobility and cordiality. Intellectual productivity, mental alertness, firmness and reliability of what is said by a bearer of intelligence (we will call such a person that way), tolerance for other manifestations of human character are also identified as components. They help to better understand the essence of intelligence.
The attitude towards the cultural and scientific achievements of one’s people and humanity as a whole is important for intelligence. Thus, a person is supposed to be interested in and respect history, art and other directions in the development of human thought.
