What is an intellectual?

[Hong Kong Chinese]

I’d like to know the definition of an intellectual?

From the definition of Merriam-Webster:
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...y&va=intellect

It just means that the one who understands

But from Cambridge:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...1289&dict=CALD


http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...1289&dict=CALD

It means those who think of and understand complicated ideas.

If I have no formal education, and if I can think of and understand complicate ideas, can I call myself an intellectual?

Teachers, please enlighten me!

[RonBee]

Here is MSN Encarta's definition of intellectual:

• intelligent person: somebody with a highly developed ability to reason and understand, especially if also well educated and interested in the arts or sciences or enjoying activities involving serious mental effort
  
  
  [15th century. Via Old French from late Latin intellectualis , from intellectus “intellect,” from intellegere “to perceive”
  http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/featur...fid=1861621689

We had this question on the Delphi forum. I wish I could remember what I said. :(

I am sure others will make contributions to this discussion.

:)

[henry]

I agree with you.
However, let me share my knowledge.

Intellectual: a person who is well educated and enjoys activities ( such as culture and what RonBee mentioned before) in which they have to think seriously about things in a logical way.

8)

[Tdol]

I’d like to know the definition of an intellectual?

From the definition of Merriam-Webster:
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...y&va=intellect

It just means that the one who understands

But from Cambridge:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...1289&dict=CALD


http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...1289&dict=CALD

It means those who think of and understand complicated ideas.

If I have no formal education, and if I can think of and understand complicate ideas, can I call myself an intellectual?

Teachers, please enlighten me!

Being an intellectual is not dependent, necessarily, on education, imho.

[MikeNewYork]

I’d like to know the definition of an intellectual?

From the definition of Merriam-Webster:
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...y&va=intellect

It just means that the one who understands

But from Cambridge:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...1289&dict=CALD


http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...1289&dict=CALD

It means those who think of and understand complicated ideas.

If I have no formal education, and if I can think of and understand complicate ideas, can I call myself an intellectual?

Teachers, please enlighten me!

Being an intellectual is not dependent, necessarily, on education, imho.

It is not completely dependent on education, but education certainly helps. One can educate oneself, but it is very difficult. :wink:

[Tdol]

That's why I added 'necessarily'. There are also the cases of those with a lot of education who think of themselves as intellectuals, but don't cut the mustard.

[MikeNewYork]

That's why I added 'necessarily'. There are also the cases of those with a lot of education who think of themselves as intellectuals, but don't cut the mustard.

That is certainly true. :wink: