Signs of False Intelligence

We often come across people who have an air of being omniscient. They seem to understand everything and sense they know everything. To an outsider they seem very intelligent. However if one gets into a conversation with them, it turns out to be false. They are the ones to try to dazzle people with big words and over the top ideas. They also try to exaggerate their superior intelligence. These people are otherwise known as pseudointellectuals. Now there is a difference between people who are pedantic in nature due to a pathological issue such as PTSD or Schizophrenia. Often it is the case they use the false knowledge for personal gain and even for manipulation.

1 They overuse and misuse advanced vocabulary

Sometimes people with general intelligence will use a big word then later retract and use a more commonly used and understood word. People who are pseudointellectuals often only use big words that nobody can understand. Rather than helping the other to understand what they said, they put the people down stating they have a higher intelligence. They may even say they do not want to hang around people with inferior intelligence. Often it is the case they mispronounce words and even use in wrong sentences.

2 They brag about their intelligence ALL the time

As this seems quite narcissist in nature, many pseudointellectuals brag about their intelligence all the time. If ever they say something wrong and are corrected they might implode that they cannot be wrong on basis they have a higher intelligence. They can often become verbally abusive and condescending. Somebody who has true intelligence is usually very open minded and seeks to be corrected for further growth. Pseudointellectuals barely ever back down from conversations and often say something that nobody can answer to thus inhibiting further communication.

3 They always repeat profound quotes

People with false intelligence will always repeat quotes that they heard. They may be a situation where they disagree with you and quote a philosopher to avoid validating your opinions. For a small conversation they may get off topic and quote a profound quote from a metaphysical standpoint when the conversation was about food. They have trouble staying on topic and try to steer the topic by quoting famous philosophers and poets. This can disguise the fact that they do not know the answer to a question.

4 They derail conversations with pointless intellectual questions

Say one day you ask a pseudointellectual if they would want to go for coffee. They accept the invitation on the basis that it is to indulge in necessary sustenance that gives life. They make a point that they are doing this for you and not for them. Sometimes when you go home and say I had a good day at work, they will state what mundane life you must have not to enjoy thrills. Such conversation is both meaningless and prevents further conversation or communication. Another thing they often do is ask lead on questions. These questions they want to hear only the answer in their mind. Most of the time these questions are not open ended and kill a conversation.

5 They act like they have everything figured out

While nobody has life figured out completely, people who are pseudointellectuals act like they know everything and know exactly the ins and outs of life. They feel they have life made or that they can get whatever they want because they are intellectually superior. While this is indeed an act, they will never accept criticism and will always be condescending. They often manipulate others or exert power and state things like-you will never be at my level, or you will never make it in life. Just remember that people who are intelligent crave good conversation and are open minded and value other people’s opinions.

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