What makes a smart person smart? is it knowledge? knowing more things? I dont think so. I dont think Knowledge is the big thing here. I think the way of thinking, the way you look at things, can tell me more about whether a person is smart or not. If, for example, I take a random dude from the street, who knows the world map, but has no clue as to where planet Earth is located in the galaxy - is he uneducated? and then if I take him home and over the course of an hour I teach him about the Solar System, the Milky Way, the Local Group, the Observable Universe...teach him about the co-existence of Space, Time and Matter as opposed to the unknown knowledge of Black Holes and Worm Holes in space...teach him about Star Birth, Supernovas, Hypernovas, Quasars etc...Will you say, the at the end of my speech this person will be an educated or smart fella? I think not. If he's dumb to begin with, he'll just know more things, but knowlege alone is no sign of intelligence. I dont think that a person who finished university with Master's Degree and more than 90 in all his subjects is necessarily smart. I think I can tell more about his intelligence from reading his posts in this forum than from seeing his diplomas. Most degrees that rely on memorizing material, then taking exams or writing papers which are based on some books is by no means an indication of high intelligence, which is why when people tell me "oh this person is smart, finished uni with distinction", I dont get too impressed.

Take someone who's a brain surgeon. Is he by default a smart fella? educated fella? not dumb? think about it for a sec.

The father of a good friend of mine from Switzerland is a brain surgeon, and successful too. He's somewhat of a prodigy. Ever since childhood, he was known to have a brilliant brain. And yet, whenever I held a conversation with the guy I felt like pulling my hair and scream because I couldnt believe how simple-minded he can be. If he were to post in this forum, you would have never guessed him to be a brain surgeon, or a genius. But he is. He's got this brilliant brain, and he can solve math problems with no effort at all. But the way he conducts his brain for the rest of the non-hospital, non-math issues is just pathetic. Even his son is joking that "whenever my father put down the robe, his brain goes to sleep".

So is he smart? what being smart means? having the right brain? having more knowledge? or is it actually part of the personality, your way of thinking?

You can define it several ways. The depth and comprehensiveness of one's knowledge is a definition. It can be IQ even its it's undeveloped. It can be the development of solutions and their application.

It is hard to define "Smaht". We all know people who are book smart, top of their class, etc and yet "O" when it comes to common sense? Is Wisdom about smarts? Some people are very wise throughout their lives, even if not scholars, making good decisions. We tend to think of smart though, I think, as knowledgeable book wise....well many do I think.

I'm guessing this could become quite a broad topic.


TIS

Not really. It's what Fredo was.

Why is that? I know several people like that.

There's smart and then there's quick. As you said, Fame, there are smart people who can recite book learning, but not so much beyond that. Then there are those who are also "quick", and can think on their feet.

Smart = Knowing (or at least being able to repeat) a bunch of facts [booksmart]; not necessarily intelligent, but having a good memory.

Intelligent = Being able to, even without formal learning (not necessarily "smart"), to figure out and improve on key and/or advanced concepts. Usually "quick" and adaptable. Basically, common sensible.


I'd rather be intelligent than smart. Hell, that's how I got through all my schooling


An intelligent person can function when all the books are taken away.

P.S. Intelligent people are often not smart (stupid); and vice versa.

And KNOWING (and owning) that you're less than a "genius" makes you both smart and intelligent.

So if I'm allowed to rephrase what you're saying:

Smart = Brain capabilities. Basic (effortless) use of storage (memory)

Intelligent = Independent/creative use of brain, regardless of capabilities.

I'd say the former is innate, while the latter depends a lot on surroundings and circumstances. Part of forming your personality.

Have any of you read any Kant?

Kant spends alot of time focusing on what "ought" to be in several areas. He'd probably tender that if one is intelligent, one ought to be smart.

I like Fame's definitions.

We have some very intelligent people right here on the BB that are both book smart and smart "otherwise" IMHO

One of course is our Turnbull who seems to be knowledgeable about almost any subject. He seems so scholarly.

And our own Saladbar. Although it's been a while since we've spoken, I've met her and she is one very intelligent lady if you ask me.


TIS

Kant say I have.

Anyone who claims to be smart probably isn't (i.e. Fredo)
Anyone who says he's not that clevah (i.e. Solozzo) probably is.

My dog is pretty smart. Does lot of tricks.

I know of an attorney, a friend and colleague back in my public defender days, who was the first in his extended family to graduate high school. Among colleagues he was viewed personally as unpolished and laid back.

He was also one of the best criminal trial attorneys you'd ever want to see. What was amazing is that he was able to go into trial without outlines, notes or questions written. His cross-examination flowed effortlessly and he could cite page numbers and lines for impeachment purposes.

he was also cut of the same cloth as his clients, who loved him.

The question has been answered. I am not a book smart type of person.

I don't do well in many classes in school because of this, but I can go without reading chapters and pass the tests. I hate trying to do just memorization rather than actually learning the subject. Guess many professors/administrators feel otherwise.

So Fredo is a real person?

You have to ask?

No less than you or I -- but I still apparently don't understand what defines a "real" person I guess... tho I do know what a "fictional character" is, however...

I got street smarts!!! So keep it real G!!!