Are the intelligent the ones who are truly limited?

Question

I've developed a theory recently...

It's less that i discovered it, but more than i've come to realize it.

In this world we live in, it seems that those who are more intelligent, or those who question more than others, are often more limited in a sense. These are the people who don't believe in religion, believe in magic, and never let their minds wander. I found that i don't believe in god, but i really envy those who do.

It makes me feel limited.

I wish i had the faith that others did, but i simply dont. I cannot fullheartedly believe in something that i do not have absolute proof for. Also, needless to say, i dont believe in magic lol. Or magic and/or psychic abilities...

Some who share my views might say that i have absolute control over my life now, and i dont believe in the false. But i think that these fairy tales make life beautiful.

What im saying is that, people who believe in magic, religion and the such have much fuller lives. Their minds can wander to any corner of the world without being tethered down to the realm of possibility. I envy those people. They are closer to nirvana than i could ever hope to be in my lifetime.

(Disclaimer, i am merely presenting my views and this is not to say that religion of any sort is wrong, i myself just dont believe in it. Believe and let believe. Nothing that can give someone so much hope and happiness could ever be a bad thing. I wish i had faith...)

So my final question is, do you believe that the intelligent people in the world, who bind themselves to specific rules and laws, and limited?

Answer 1

i

Answer 2

I think you could be on to something. I think I could be happier if I was more oblivious.

Unfortunately, my husband is a real skeptic, and it has rubbed off on me. We watch the politicians (Rep. & Dem), and think "What a bunch of crooks!". We see televangelists, and think "OH! These guys are just about making money!"

I wish I could be a little bit gullible, because I think that ignorance is bliss.

While I think that they may be happier, intelligent people are more prepared for disappointment.

  

Answer 3

You obviously have a very different definition of intelligence than any of the scientists or members of high iq societies that i have known.

splice I

>I've developed a theory recently...

>It's less that i discovered it, but more than i've come to

>realize it.  In this world we live in, it seems that those

>who are more intelligent,or those who question more than

>others, are often more limited in a sense. These are the

>people who don't believe in religion, believe in magic, and

>never let their minds wander. I found that i don't believe in

>god, but i really envy those who do.

first off, this is not a theory, its an idea.  as it is not a quantifiable idea, it's not even a hypothesis.

splice II

> I cannot fullheartedly believe in something that i do not have

>absolute proof for.

in that case you must not believe in science or our technology which is based in theory which by definition cannot be proven, only disproven.

splice III

>Also, needless to say, i dont believe in magic lol.

>Or magic and/or psychic abilities...

the word magic is a transliterated word meaning literally 'the way of the magi,' or in a more modern context, "the way foriegners do things."

the majority of our modern science was recently considered 'magic' by past mainstream science.  this type of dismissal without testing is NOT SCIENCE.  read des Cartes. the father of science said 'don't accept or dismiss anything without testing it.'  

here's the most obvious example- chemistry was the result of alchemy

don't believe in the power of crystals? then you better not use a quartz watch, nuclear power or computer.  while you're at it you can stop using about 35% of phamacological product, and an additional 25% if you don't believe in herbs. other breakthroughs in medicine, physics, psychology, sociology, and a score of other sciences can be directly attributed to ideas that were formerly called 'magic'.

splice IV

>What im saying is that, people who believe in magic,

>religion and the such have much fuller lives.

This is true.  it is also true that the percentage of atheists among scientists is far lower than the general population.  some estimates in the US put the number of scientists who describe themselves as people of faith as high as 93%

splice V

>Their minds can wander to any corner of the world without

>being tethered down to the realm of possibility.

>I envy those people.

>Do you believe that the intelligent people

[translation by the authors definition, 'those people who can't see past the end of their nose']

>in the world, who bind themselves to specific rules and laws,

>are limited?

my answer: yes, limited by their own choice.

there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.~ Hamlett, Act II Scene 2

Answer 4

someone said that if you do not believe in god you believe in all the rest - fairies, trolls, black magic, cults... maybe you should not speak of intelligent people, but of people who are cultivated, went to school and read books, and people who believe in stories from tv and tabloids. the key is look for deeper knowledge. it's difficult, i'm afraid, it's something you struggle to get. but what's the alternative?

Answer 5

Intelligence limits the soul, where stupidity limits the mind. Wisdom frees up both.

I have often felt like you. I suggest you read "Equus" by Peter Schaafer.

Answer 6

No.

"Gaily bedight

There rode a knight

In sunshine and in shadow

Riding along

Singing a song

In search of Eldorado

But he grew old

This knight so bold

And over his heart a shadow

Fell as he found

No spot on the ground

That looked like Eldorado

And as his strength

Failed him at length

He met a pilgrim shadow.

Shadow said he,

Where can it be?

This land of Eldorado?

Over the mountains

of the moon

Down the valley

of the shadow

Ride boldly ride

the shade replied

If you seek for Eldorado."

By the way. Determine what you consider benefit. Whatever beliefs are needed to be held to uphold benefit are worth believing in without proof, and usually you already believe in them (not saying a godhead belief, just believing in the Hobbes explaination of the Social Contract is a pretty far limb to climb out onto without proof). Intelligence is only useful inasmuch as it can be a vehicle for finding percieved benefit.

=Find peace or fun or pleasure or whatever benefit is for you.

Answer 7

first of all, most people who believe in magic are not intelligent.

With that said, the truly intelligent are the only ones that are free, because they can use their minds to escape from this matter-matrix that we call life.

You are not your body, you are an immortal soul that HAS a body.

Answer 8

I don't define 'full' as constantly deluding yourself. For me a fuller life is one where you actually have a clear understanding of the mechanisms and ideas underpinning your beliefs and credible explanations. I understand my limits, but I also know that there are regular breakthroughs in knowledge.

Living a life of myths is comforting, but ultimately self-deception and very limiting.

Answer 9

So, you accept reality but really wish you could live in a fantasy world?

Good luck with that quest.

It's popularly known as insanity.

Answer 10

I think even those, such as myself, who don't believe in magic, etc., can still suspend their disbelieve long enough to enjoy the possiblity of magic and such notions. I don't believe in magic, but I greatly enjoy reading fantasy novels in which magic plays a large part.

Answer 11

intelligent people demand logical explanations. death is inevitable. all know (not believe)  this. afterwards there is a place of total love , peace and joy. and there is a place of hate, torment and pain. Through EXPERIENCE i "know" what the consequences of rejecting Jesus will be. i first only believed. i took action and recieved. now i've experienced something (continuously) that if i denied, i'd be lying. God now lives inside of me through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. What does one truely lose in believing this? blessings to you.  

Answer 12

Appreciation of life is not dependent on beliefs or religion.

All that is required is an open mind.

If you can understand and reason why people believe in something you find ridiculous then I believe you have achieved fullness of life.

If you being an atheist, can understand why people need a god to exist in their lives, to be accountable and the sole arbitrator of your mistakes then I would hold you to be intelligent.

Your mind is more free than the highest soaring bird if you can understand that life is beautiful, not if you're bound by beliefs of a supreme entity ruling over you or being sure that no divine deity rules over you but by realizing that there is no truth or false.

It is all dependent on a person's perception.

An intelligent person is rather, more free , more understanding and fascinatingly liberal.

Answer 13

I read your question and I feel sorry for you. Not because of your lack of faith but because your definition of intelligent is wrong. I find the more I live that those who are truly intelligent and wise are not those who have knowledge but those whose minds are open to new things and are willing to learn about those thing. If you don't believe in GOD talk to someone who does. If you don't believe in magic talk to someone who does. Talk to those you disagree with and then if you come away with a maybe it's possible then you're intelligent.

Answer 14

No,intelligent people make rules for other...