Is it true that a rise in intelligence leads to a decline in happiness or is this just stereotype?

Question

Is it true that a rise in intelligence leads to a decline in happiness or is this just stereotype?

Answer 1

Only if you believe ignorance is bliss.

I do think there's some truth in your statement.  One thing a lecturer said has always stuck with me.  The more we learn the more we realise exactly how much we don't know.

Many people find that the more they experience the harsh realities of life, or discover their own limitations and realise that the realities we dreamed for ourselves were never a real possibility (movie star, footballer, astronaut etc) they become more resigned to getting through life, not enjoy it.

However for such people I don't believe intelligence is the factor it's experience. and a disappointment when travelling the road between idealism to realism.

Answer 2

As human beings we're a blend of several things; we're social beings, we have emotions, we have a mind and a conscience, we're designed to move about, i.e. be physical,and we are spiritual. However, it's where we put the majority of our focus that tends to develop the most. Athletes who excel at what they do - let's thing of this in terms of a bar graph - Olympic athletes will be say have a rating of 70% physical and be much lower in the areas of intellect, emotional development, or spiritual development. Academics will have a well developed mind, but may be severely lacking in social and athletic skills. In answer to your question, I think that more intellectual people aren't as well-rounded as more extroverted types are and that may contribute to being less happy. However, most introverts are content with who they are.

One final point. Highly intelligent people often suffer from depression because of their far-sighted abilities. Others don't understand them which makes their life very difficult.  

Answer 3

I would believe that there is at least a kernel of truth in the idea.

The smarter a being is, the more they are aware of their surroundings - and the more likely they would be aware of inequities of possessions (that guy has more goats than I do!), or the lack of an item (there is no yeast to make bread!).

An ignorant creature would only care for the stuff of survival - there is only enough food or there isn't enough food - and there is something to mate with, or there isn't something to mate with.  That's it.

The more intelligent beings became, the more aware they are, and the more likely that they will notice things... and be able to do things like covet and worry and hate.

BUT - this is ONLY my opinion.

Answer 4

I think that intelligence leads to happiness.

Awareness is where this important intelligence starts. You have to have some intelligence about yourself.

Answer 5

Stereotype. Being in the IT field i know people that range from geniuses to impressively incompetent. happiness has nothing to do with intelligence. some people become happy by learning, some are happy destroying their braincells. to each person happiness is different,