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People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

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Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#51
I know that there isn't a lot of scientific support for Myers-Briggs vs the Big 5 personality test - but I always found the "judging" vs "perceiving" aspect of Myers-Briggs to be sonewhat meaningful in understanding people's mindsets. I think this article clarified for me that the factor I was actually looking for boiled down to intellectual humility. It would be interesting if they did do myers-Briggs and other personality inventories alongside these studies just to see if it really does match up.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#52
post #28

A questionnaire from the article: 1) I am willing to admit if I don't know something. 2) I like to compliment others on their intellectual strengths. 3) I try to reflect on my weaknesses in order to develop my intelligence. 4) I actively seek feedback on my ideas, even if it is critical. 5) I acknowledge when someone knows more than me about a certain subject. 6) If someone doesn't understand my idea, it's probably b…

I'm not sure your critiques invalidate the questions. This questionnaire isn't a value judgment on who you are as a person, it is simply exploring your behavior. Having good reasons for not giving the "right" answers doesn't mean the questions aren't poking at valid points.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#54
post #4

It's funny, I always considered myself one of the most humble people i know. Guess this explains why I am so knowledgeable about so many topics.

I'm not humble, but I've learned to fake it pretty well. The trouble is most people believe me when I say I'm not that smart.

100% this.

And so was born the pervasive humble brag.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#55
post #7

There's a saying in some Indian languages, which I'll paraphrase: the tree which bears a lot of fruit is always bent over . In other words, the person (tree) with lots of knowledge (fruit) is humble (bent over).

And it's knowledge itself that humbles them? I think this is a great saying.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#56
post #4

It's funny, I always considered myself one of the most humble people i know. Guess this explains why I am so knowledgeable about so many topics.

> I always considered myself one of the most humble people i know. This is the paragon of humble-brags.

... Not really? There's nothing humble about his statement, it's just a brag.

Also, it's intended to be ironic.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#57
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ignorance of what? Your reality or their own?

Reality isn't subjective. People are just imperfect antennae with varying receptions and demodulators.

Isn't it subjective when we consider the reality of the fish versus the reality of the human? Even among two humans the cornerstones of your psychic landscape can be vastly different. Are you talking about elemental reality? Any "elemental reality" that leaves out the vital elements of psyche, behavior, habit, preference, and perception would clearly omit a lot of vital information in coming to know Reality with a capital R.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#58

It's a finding more pithily stated by the poet W.B. Yeats: "The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity" - The Second Coming (poem).

I also like this one:

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#59
post #28

A questionnaire from the article: 1) I am willing to admit if I don't know something. 2) I like to compliment others on their intellectual strengths. 3) I try to reflect on my weaknesses in order to develop my intelligence. 4) I actively seek feedback on my ideas, even if it is critical. 5) I acknowledge when someone knows more than me about a certain subject. 6) If someone doesn't understand my idea, it's probably b…

I agree with all your points, especially (8) and (9). I think people who answer "no" to these questions because they lack self-awareness or because they are giving "right" answers instead of honest ones will far outnumber the people who have managed to completely eradicate their insecurity.

Re: People with Greater Intellectual Humility Have Superior General Knowledge

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note that being great in every of these aspects can lead to suffering. Because most people don't and you'll be talked down regularly to the point of breaking. And it's utterly difficult to keep respect for people when you try to be balanced, team oriented and generous when others only know how to assert their POV and limited experience.

I agree with you. My honest answers to each of questions (save 8 and 9) are what the researchers would probably consider the "correct" response. Personally I don't like it when people point out my shortcomings or errors, but I'd argue those questions are under-specified. I may not like it, but I'll welcome it and earnestly assume they have some insight I do not. In any case I think it makes me an unenjoyable person t…

Like most people I also dislike being wrong. I’m also game for disagreements, which means I’m wrong a lot, easily the most on my team at work. I’d hesitate to say that makes me more “enjoyable” to my teammates.

More likely people find me difficult to take seriously because I’ll passionately argue for something I don’t necessarily have the best evidence for and then immediately give up and say I’m wrong when someone gives me the evidence I’m looking for.

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