Ibonio D’Souza
Many people confuse intelligence with intellect and vice versa, but the terms are clearly different both in meaning and use. Intelligence is built by gaining knowledge from external agencies, from schools and universities, teachers and text books. The intellect is developed through individual effort by exercising the faculty of questioning, thinking and reasoning, without accepting anything that does not admit logic or reason.
Though we spend a lot of time acquiring intelligence at the expense of developing the intellect, no amount of intelligence gained can by itself build the intellect. The knowledge one acquires is of no use without the intellect just as a computer cannot act on its own despite all the knowledge stored in its memory.
You need a powerful intellect to put the knowledge, intelligence gained, to practical use in life. This explains why among millions of doctors graduating from medical schools only a few have discovered life-saving procedures, cures and remedies. Similarly among millions of engineers only a few design something unusual like the Panama Canal or Euro tunnel. It is their intellect that renders their performance outstanding. Besides hindering success and progress, intelligence without intellect could destroy peace and happiness in the world.
Unaware of the dire need to build the intellect, people entertain themselves with merely reading others’ writings. They indulge in the mere length of study. Just poring over pages of literature, apathetic towards the message therein or its deeper implications if any. Rare indeed are the ones who go into the depth of study. Thus little is assimilated or absorbed. People have been educated like robots for generations and have been traversing through life without knowing the meaning and purpose of it.
The world today is in a state of chaos due to the perversion in human development of intelligence and not intellect. This is why even highly educated businesspersons, professionals and scholars become alcoholics, are short-tempered and succumb to worry and anxiety. It is the mind that craves alcohol. It is the mind that loses its temper.
Again, it is the mind that constantly harbors worry of the past and anxiety for the future. When the intellect remains undeveloped and weak, it is unable to control the vagaries of the mind. It is only those who have developed a powerful intellect, with or without academic distinction, can hold the mind under perfect control and direct action to spell success and peace in life.
People must wake up; realise the need to develop, and strengthen the intellect. In fact, this process of thinking should have begun from an early age but having failed to do so, the process should start at least now, forthwith. Also, develop the art of thinking. Follow it up with the study of impeccable truths of life. Delve deep in to the truths. Accept those that appeal to logic and reason. Apply them in practical living. Adopt this procedure all through life. It will enable you to build your intellect.
