First of all many may ask for a definition of what I mean by 'more educated'. It is not for me to decide that, it is up to you to define an answer and explain your choice when you do make it.
I based my answer on formal education because it is difficult to assess anything else. I work in a law firm, so many here have Law Degrees. I do not. I think I am well informed and have been trained technically for my job, also have a lot of life experience and I am pretty intelligent, but I don't consider this being educated.
I know that some people also include mannerism, common sense and etiquette along with academic education since if you are academically educated but lack common sense or etiquette then you might quickly be found in the class of 'stupid', 'dumb' or 'idiot'.
I think you can be very educated and still be stupid. To me education is something you have been taught, but if you fail to use that education, you are probably stupid!
Isn't that a contradiction in terms to the world though? I agree with you, but I am sure many will not. I often separate intelligence from wisdom (as I do in the RPGs), in other words, someone can know about something, but not know how to apply it (which is what you are basically saying). Sadly, the world focuses too much on the intelligence part and not the wisdom only, I think it is this way because wisdom cannot be 'accounted' for, whereas you can produce a certificate to show intelligence.
I agree, there is a big difference between "intelligent" and "educated." Someone I know was telling me about a TV commercial, where a woman was training someone how to do something. The trainee became quite miffed and told her "I have a master's degree!!" and the woman said, "Oh, you have a master's degree? Then I'll have to make it more simple for you...."
There is a woman at work with a master's degree -- but she's *not* very intelligent and she knows it. Why do I say that? Because she has no confidence in herself and is threatened by anyone she thinks can do a better job... I think it's really sad.
I have very little formal education, and while I'm not a genius, I think I'm intelligent and I have decent amount of common sense. And I (sadly) have a very low tolerance for obvious stupidity.
Roz
QUOTE (FarSeer @ 19-Feb 04, 9:06 PM) |
I have very little formal education, and while I'm not a genius, I think I'm intelligent and I have decent amount of common sense. And I (sadly) have a very low tolerance for obvious stupidity. |
I have met people with master degrees and have ask me how to spell the word 'orange' and I'm not kidding. Personally it doesn't impress me how much formal education a person has but what impresses me is the use of it!!!! I have met people with more common sense and more knowledge about books and history and english than someone who is consider a 'master' in the field. By the other side, I have met people who were extremely smart, have common sense and also hold master degrees.