Do you think you can increase your IQ by philosophical study, discussion & reflection?

Question

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Answer 1

It seems to me that you can't increase your IQ, but you can increase your intelligence. IQ is a very specific measure of intelligence that is not particularly comprehensive or exact. The capacity for deep understanding in the long term engendered by philosophy doesn't necessarily translate to more success on IQ tests.

However, the ability to think deeply and clearly about topics is important in terms of one's overall health and happiness.

Answer 2

It depends on the actual merit of having a high IQ. It's a test of a specific breed of intelligence, so one could argue that it isn't valid.

But if you're wondering if your actual intelligence can be raised through philosophy, I guess it depends on how serious you take it. [Good] philosophical discussions require excellent language skills (almost what it boils down to is definitions and word selection), logic testing and (hopefully) an open mind. All of this can definitely be applied to more concrete knowledge (and possibly, by extension, can increase your IQ score).

Would be interesting to see a study on this.

Hope this helps and thank you for the unique question (I get a little tired of the "meaning of life" ones...).

Answer 3

Learning does increase your IQ. But it does depend on WHAT you learn. Philosophy alone will not do it. Learning to speak is a good example. New neural pathways are created in the brain faster than a developing fetus.

Answer 4

philosophical study enlarges your world, it exposes you to different perspectives which enrich your own.  

IQ tests tend to be a bit biased towards ones logical  capabilities.  If you are more intuitive than rational then you are less likely to do well on an IQ test.  

But with philosophical study being more intuitive is probably better.  The world isn't just so, a rational interpretation of it will always only ever be an approximation.  A feel for it will bring you closer.  More like Captain Kirk less like Dr. Spock.

Answer 5

Possibly but the general public is dumb as a f*cking rock, so unless you are joining a professional group or taking a college class, good luck finding someone.