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Why do we value intelligence over looks? ?
People always say things along the lines of "I don't care about my looks, I value my intelligence". I have a friend who actually says he only makes friends with people he thinks are intelligent. As if that is a measure of someone's character... How is this any better than vanity? Why do we look down on people of "lower" intelligence? How does intelligence make someone more valuable or admirable (whereas we criticize those who value and admire good looks)? Put plainly... what's wrong with stupid people? How does being smarter or more educated make you better? I think intelligence has a lot more to do with your upbringing, financial privilege, mental health, family background, "natural intelligence", etc. (things you can't really control) and less to do with your personal qualities or morals... I don't get it.
@Nemo S: Intelligence can fade as well... I'm not arguing that it's not good to be smart and educated... it can make you more compassionate, more understanding of others, it can improve your quality of life... but why do we look down on people who are unintelligent, when most of the time it isn't their fault?
@Anon: This does not answer my question.
This is coming from a person who was financially privileged and brought up by 2 parents with graduate/professional degrees. They could afford the time and had the ability to help with me homework, job and college applications, etc. I didn't have to work to survive and I was not born with any serious learning disabilities. I bet if I were born into a different situation, I would be less "intelligent" than I am today. So why are we okay with assigning value to people based on their intelligence?
I'm convinced no one on Yahoo Answers knows how to answer a question.
10 Answers
- ?Lv 62 weeks ago
Looks themselves won't get you too much of anywhere. Intelligence can get you many places and destinations in life. Of course if you're intelligent things can go easier on their own. It can cover everything while beauty is just something that is appealing to look at. Intelligence is about reality and facts while looks can just be about opinions.
- 2 weeks ago
Halo effect (sometimes called the halo error) is the tendency for positive impressions of a person, company, brand or product in one area to positively influence one's opinion or feelings in other areas.
- KooLv 52 weeks ago
"WE" are all different and everyone has something to offer. So it depends on the individuals involved. "WE" live in a short term throw away society where looks are everything and when the fashion changes the trend follows.
More discerning individuals may have higher standards and intellects which value wisdom over both looks and intelligence
- tizzoseddyLv 62 weeks ago
I can speak for only myself. If you want to know what your friend thinks, did you ask him? A person's value to me doesn't always depend on their level of intelligence. Intelligence can make a person interesting or useful, but it's not the only thing that can do so, and it doesn't necessarily do so.
- 2 weeks ago
Human intelligence outweighs the violence of lions.
It is safe around the person who uses it for the threat, and dangerous around the person who uses it for the neighbor. They need to be tightly controlled by the person.
The visual danger is not that great.
- j153eLv 72 weeks ago
In-telling is intelligence.
If someone is busily focused on a rhythm, a less-intelligent person or a less-attractive person may alter the rhythm, in such a way that said "deplorable" is denigrated. The same process occurs in sports, etc., and is typical of those who care less about the lesser.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_o... shows a way of development for all; "Understanding Yourself," by Mark Prophet, is also insightful.
- ?Lv 52 weeks ago
Looks are fleeting and passing intelligence sometimes has answers to all question and sometimes those answers are NOT the ones you want however wisdom is the measure by which the success or failure is measured..
SO one success in a thousand failures is NOT success...
N.Shadows
- Anonymous2 weeks ago
Be happy that he doesn't think you're stupid. Each one values what they want.