Intelligence Verses Instinct

For a long time now, I have been told of how important intelligence is to the world of man. Society almost worships intelligence and technology constantly is being pushed into emulating it. Some might view the world differently though; they might claim it is beauty, humor, creativity or an entirely different thing that is of pinnacle importance to this world. However, as far as the human ideal it seems intelligence it as the top of a very short list.

The question I ask is why is intelligence, wisdom... scholarly understanding, literacy and all of this so important? If we were incapable of reading books, we would design another method of communication. Perhaps in the future no one will read? Perhaps... information will be downloaded into human brains. Then again, maybe future citizens will just be born into a holo-matrix of some type where everything is there for them; all knowledge. So again, why is this word... such a hot button when it comes to designating human worth? What has decided that one view of what defines intelligence is the correct one.... or even that intelligence in itself really matters for human survival?

Delving deeper into this as the devil's advocate I am at this moment... (because I like most regard intelligence as desirable, at least in myself.) Anyways, continuing... What about instinct? Some might view that as a type of intelligence, yet every creature has it. The wild cats that roam through the jungles, the serpents that wind across the arid sands... the vicious crocodiles in the swamp... or the local stray cats rifling through last nights' trash for their dinner. All of these have instinct and so too do human beings and we still need it to survive to a degree. For example, if you were shipwrecked and stuck on an island for weeks on end... even months, you would need instinct to continue living. Would common intelligence be critical when all that was needed was heat, shelter... food... maybe a raft or a way to signal planes? Sure it could be learned but what causes you to run when the black panther seeks you as its next meal? What makes you hear the cracks and thumps of predators arriving, knowing they are predators? Instinct.

At one point in society, the greatest trait that could be found in a man was in his ability to fight and die for what he believed in. In another, it was art and religion. It continues like this with new traits replacing old ones. Now, it is intelligence. No one wants to be "dumb", right? Like no one wanted to be physically weak once... Like no one wants to be "ugly"? Anyways, your thoughts?

Chime in more, Aaron. This could've been great on the jediism and faith thread.

To answer your question I don't think people sacrifice their instinct for intelligence. The priority is definitely obvious in a world screaming for information, now. So I actually do agree with you, though I disagree that it should exist in the dichotomy you suggest. In saying that I want to try and answer your questions.

So again, why is this word... such a hot button when it comes to designating human worth?

When somebody appears to possess intelligence it says they can register data at their own understanding, perhaps ( though maybe not always) translate to another understanding. Intelligence says to a person "I can tell this person something and get a response showing an analysis of what I said". It's not so much hierarchal worth, but worth in terms of practicality.

What has decided that one view of what defines intelligence is the correct one.... or even that intelligence in itself really matters for human survival?

Intelligence possess's an understanding of the environment. How can a human survive without a basic understanding of their own environment?

Would common intelligence be critical when all that was needed was heat, shelter... food... maybe a raft or a way to signal planes?

Instinct plays a factor here definitely, yet intelligence would also differentiate between a bird and a plane, a dingy raft and a stable one etc etc. Using instinct or intelligence alone is an equal risk. I don't agree with the dichotomy.

Sure it could be learned but what causes you to run when the black panther seeks you as its next meal?

Rabbits possess instinct yet when a car they feel would scare and kill them, they still freeze and get run over because they do not possess the intelligence to get out of the way.

What makes you hear the cracks and thumps of predators arriving, knowing they are predators? Instinct.

Again both intelligence ans Instinct would work together for you here. Instinct tells you it's a threat, yet what if it's a friend? If you do not learn to tell the difference you could kill them...


My thoughts are that instinct still plays a part in our society it's just that either it's denied or that people don't know what it is. I think people don't sacrifice instinct for intelligence nor should people sacrifice intelligence for instinct.

But again, I like what you wrote

There is no verses.

Sid, clever response and exactly what I was looking for. However, perhaps instincts should be honed in this world so abundant with artificial things? Would instincts evolve then? Would they be more than simple survival? What of "gut reasoning" ?

Personally, I feel that "Intelligence" has overrun "instinct" in value in my culture (US). So we lose SO MUCH information by ignoring instinct.

I feel that they should be in balance. I think instinct is apart of the subconscious. It's where those "gut feelings" come from. There's so much information stored in the subconscious that we would have better access to if we knew how to listen. However, intelligence is also important.

When I was in Iraq, we had Alarm Reds (lots of incoming rockets or mortars) at least every week. When something blew up, instinct told me to run. Intelligence told me that the safest place I could be was in my dorm. So I would roll out of bed, and fall back asleep under my armor until the "All Clear" woke me.

I have lots of issues with anxiety. It use to be much much much worse. There are other types, but for me, my anxiety is an instinct. For example, I would be told or asked to do something I've never done before. I immediately would hit "Fight or Flight", and depending on the situation, one of those would result. (Fight turned into anger, never physical for me). This is instinct unchecked by intelligence. The ongoing fix? Reason. "IS there a reason for you to fear this task? No? Then breathe!"

I'm finding so many things in life isn't about "Black" or "White". It's about the balance between.

Kamizu wrote: Personally, I feel that "Intelligence" has overrun "instinct" in value in my culture (US). So we lose SO MUCH information by ignoring instinct.

I feel that they should be in balance. I think instinct is apart of the subconscious. It's where those "gut feelings" come from. There's so much information stored in the subconscious that we would have better access to if we knew how to listen. However, intelligence is also important.

Agreed, hence why I keep engaging in exercises to connect with my subconscious. "Intuition" seems born of instinct... an extension to the human/animal awareness. I think we forget our roots from the savage beasts with such focus on intellect, on grades... on data entry... So, yes... Balance in this case is a positive; that is, it is conducive to growth of the individual. Actually... The Order of Nine Angles has it best... and I dislike them for what they have become... but... Credit where it is due...

Insight roles... The act of surviving for weeks or months in the wilderness, hiking with a large pack for miles... Even joining a street gang or becomming a terrorist. Not that I endorse the terrorist part, though a terrorist is a freedom fighter to those who support him... Regardless! These roles push the individual, push the resilience of intellect, instinct... They force the human to maximize and test his entire set of senses! ONA fails in many ways... but the Sinister training program is... Viable. It could just as well turn out heroes as villains though; it is too physical in so many ways and no one actually does it. Martial experience is another method... It should not be overlooked, but... It should also not be forced; not all desire the bodily focus... Still, there is MUCH to be said for physical discipline! Hard work... It has value, often more than idle meditation.

As you can see, I am at a crossroads here... I question value of so many training methods.

The ONA was faulty for several reasons, the biggest was the religious views as well as their views on culling, especially since everyone in the group supposedly supported those views, yet wasn't about to take the measures to back it up, and as we all know, talk is very cheap.

Man has subdued his instinct by sitting endless hours in front of the idiot box, America's obesity epidemic is proof of this, if nothing else. Watching other people live their lives because most people don't have one of their own does absolutely nothing to strengthen the will or heighten ones own instincts. Man it seems, has become satisfied with the life of a vegetable, sitting on the lost shores, a life illuminated only by a dimly lit cathode tube...

Shinzen wrote: The ONA was faulty for several reasons, the biggest was the religious views as well as their views on culling, especially since everyone in the group supposedly supported those views, yet wasn't about to take the measures to back it up, and as we all know, talk is very cheap.

Man has subdued his instinct by sitting endless hours in front of the idiot box, America's obesity epidemic is proof of this, if nothing else. Watching other people live their lives because most people don't have one of their own does absolutely nothing to strengthen the will or heighten ones own instincts. Man it seems, has become satisfied with the life of a vegetable, sitting on the lost shores, a life illuminated only by a dimly lit cathode tube...

Absolutely!!! Although, now the local obese idiot has UHDTV! ULTRA high definition television... Now he can LIVE the crap he watches. -Sigh- ... Sometimes, I just want to blow it all up... What has become of this species?

I think if we are going to approach it from the consumer society angle, its that the majority of participants aren't going for what they need or even what they want. It's what they're told they should want. To disconnect a person from that, it can't be forceful. They will still " want" what they are told and without they become desperate. To return a person to their instincts they have to come to the conclusion themselves.

And the vast majority wont bother so long as their "jacked in" to the machine that continues to tell them what, when, why and how to think. The Revolution will Not be televised...