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Taka Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

intelligence

What exactly is the difference beteween 'intellect' and 'intelligence'? My dictionaries show the definitions, but I'm not sure I really understand the difference.
  

Top answer

I'm going to take a stab at this, Taka. It's problematic because the two words are synonymous, which means they have the same, or nearly the same, meaning. So the question is if they are not the same but nearly the same, what is the exact difference.

  • I'm going to take a stab at this, Taka.
  • It's problematic because the two words are synonymous, which means they have the same, or nearly the same, meaning.
  • So the question is if they are not the same but nearly the same, what is the exact difference.
  • Perhaps, an exact difference-- if there is one -- might be explained this way: 'intellect' is the name of the faculty associated with mental powers, let's say as distinct from the other mental powers named 'emotion', 'intuition', 'instinct'; 'intelligence' is the exercise of the power associated with that faculty.
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24 Answers
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I'm going to take a stab at this, Taka. It's problematic because the two words are synonymous, which means they have the same, or nearly the same, meaning. So the question is if they are not the same but nearly the same, what is the exact difference.

Perhaps, an exact difference-- if there is one -- might be explained this way: 'intellect' is the name of the faculty associated
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Yes, intelligence implies that you have understood something and you are able to do it.

On the other side intellect doesn't necessarily imply it.

[8]
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I suppose "intellect" is often used to suggest the forceful application of analytical powers; whereas "intelligence" suggests a more responsively probing quality.

But I'm not sure either word has a precise enough meaning to permit comparisons.

MrP
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I was sleeping when I wrote this post. Deleted what I wrote.
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Another attempt--

intelligence is to intellect what artistry is to art.
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MilkyI was sleeping when I wrote this post. Deleted what I wrote.

I guess that is an additional talent that you can sleep and write at same time, milky.
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Monkeys and computers have intelligence but not intellect.
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My guess:

intellect is gained througth training and experience.

intelligence is smartness that's born.

Perhaps we can say a boy has higher intelligence than his classmates,but we reserve the word "intellectual" to students who graduate or have worked for several years.

warning: it's totally a guess from a non-english speaker.
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Or intellect is to intelligence as strength is to force?
Intellect is the latent strength necessary to manifest intelligence?
Intellect is the engine. Intelligence is the engine at work.

You show your intelligence by what you do. Showing intelligence implies the presence of an intellect.

I tend to use "intellect" as a countable; "intelligence" as a non-countabl
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CalifJimIntellect is the engine. Intelligence is the engine at work.

Bravo!

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