INTELLECTUALISM or INTELLECTUAL ARROGANCE. My attention has been drawn to the fact that some people are angry at me for coining the term “Errconomist.” They accuse me of promoting “anti-intellectualism” and one even said below that my intellect is pearls given to a swine. Thread
As always, we must start with definitions. An intellectual is someone that displays a high degree of intellect. They will often relate to a broad range of ideas, synthesise them & proffer solutions. True intellectuals are acutely aware of the limitations of their own knowledge.
Intellectuals can add a lot of value to society. They can be annoying while at it, but no nation can develop without its critical thinkers. Indeed, one of my criticisms of the current administration is what I perceive to be an unusual disdain for intellectualism.
However, many intellectuals stray into the realm of intellectual arrongance and even, sometimes, some sort of intellectual narcissism. I treasure intellectualism but detest intellectual arrogance. Let us now examine the characteristics of intellectual arrogance.
An intellectually arrogant person tends to display the following characteristics:
1. It is my way or no way. Only my views can be right. There is any other viable proposition.
2. They see themselves as THE errxpert. Nobody else knows anything, even those with more information.
1. It is my way or no way. Only my views can be right. There is any other viable proposition.
2. They see themselves as THE errxpert. Nobody else knows anything, even those with more information.
3. They refuse to see the big picture, especially the impact of politics on economics.
4. They are only interested in theorising and dictating, not doing. Everyone else, including those with facts that are not in the public domain, are ignorant.
4. They are only interested in theorising and dictating, not doing. Everyone else, including those with facts that are not in the public domain, are ignorant.
5. They can get very nasty if anyone dares to contradict their ideas and views.
6. They regard any question as an insult and a challenge to their intellect.
7. They will sometimes manufacture ‘proof’ or twist facts to vehemently defend their positions.
6. They regard any question as an insult and a challenge to their intellect.
7. They will sometimes manufacture ‘proof’ or twist facts to vehemently defend their positions.
8. They are often attention-seeking wannabes who are desperate to be part of their exclusive club.
9. When they happen to be right about anything, they get very snobbish.
10. They pretend to be very broad-minded but are actually very parochial in their interests.
9. When they happen to be right about anything, they get very snobbish.
10. They pretend to be very broad-minded but are actually very parochial in their interests.
If you recognise any of these traits in yourself, or others recognise them in you, you are intellectually arrogant. If you are intellectually arrogant and you comment on issues of Economics, particularly if you also claim clairvoyance...Yep! You are an Errconomist.
I am in my house. Come and beat me. End!✌🏽
