Intellect vs. Intelligence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 6, 2023
"Intellect" refers to the ability to think and reason, while "Intelligence" denotes the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.
Difference Between Intellect and Intelligence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both Intellect and Intelligence pertain to the human mind's capabilities, but they underscore different aspects of cognitive function. Intellect emphasizes the mental faculties of reason, judgment, and philosophical understanding.
Intelligence, on the other hand, is more encompassing. It encompasses the ability to learn, perceive, understand, and apply information. Often quantified through IQ tests, Intelligence is a gauge of one's ability to process and utilize knowledge.
Intellect can be seen as a subset of Intelligence. While Intelligence can encompass various cognitive abilities including memory, creativity, and problem-solving, Intellect primarily focuses on reasoning, understanding abstract concepts, and the application of knowledge in discussions or debates.
Furthermore, when discussing Intellect, the emphasis is often on depth of understanding and the ability to ponder profound thoughts. In contrast, Intelligence is broader, incorporating speed of thought, adaptability to new situations, and the ability to handle diverse types of information.
In essence, while both Intellect and Intelligence are crucial components of human cognition, they highlight different facets. Intellect is about depth and philosophical reasoning, while Intelligence is about the breadth of cognitive abilities.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to think and reason.
Capacity to acquire, understand, and apply knowledge.
Emphasis On
Depth, reasoning, and understanding.
Broad cognitive abilities, including learning and memory.
Typical Usage
Philosophical and deep thought processes.
General cognitive ability and problem-solving.
Measurement
More qualitative in nature.
Often quantified through IQ tests.
Relation
Can be seen as a subset of Intelligence.
Broader concept, encompassing various cognitive abilities.
Compare with Definitions
Intellect
The faculty of reasoning and understanding.
Philosophers are often admired for their profound Intellect.
Intelligence
Acumen in understanding and adapting to new situations.
Her Intelligence shone through as she adeptly navigated unfamiliar challenges.
Intellect
The power of the mind to think in a logical manner.
His debates showcased not only knowledge but also sharp Intellect.
Intelligence
The capability to think, reason, and solve problems.
Artificial Intelligence aims to replicate human cognitive functions.
Intellect
Cognitive faculties that involve thought and comprehension.
Advancements in science often stem from the combined Intellect of many.
Intelligence
A measure of cognitive abilities, often determined through testing.
IQ tests are one method to assess an individual's Intelligence.
Intellect
The capacity for critical and analytical thinking.
Her Intellect was evident in her ability to dissect complex arguments.
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context.
Intellect
The understanding or mental powers of a particular person.
Writers of the Enlightenment celebrated human Intellect.
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
Intellect
In the study of the human mind, intellect refers to and identifies the ability of the mind to reach correct conclusions about what is true and what is false, and about how to solve problems. The term intellect derives from the Ancient Greek philosophy term nous, which translates to the Latin intellectus (from intelligere, “to understand”) and into the French and English languages as intelligence.
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
Intellect
The ability to learn and reason; the capacity for knowledge and understanding
"Opinion is ultimately determined by the feelings, and not by the intellect" (Herbert Spencer).
Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
Intellect
A person's individual ability to think and reason
"[His] humanitarianism could never overcome the rigidities of his intellect or the shortcomings of his temperament" (Michael B. Stoff).
Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
Intellect
A person of great intellectual ability
"Gifted as both an athlete and an intellect, [he] received help from teachers who recognized his talents" (Anita Silvey).
Intelligence
An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
Intellect
(uncountable) The faculty of thinking, judging, abstract reasoning, and conceptual understanding; the cognitive faculty.
Intellect is one of man's greatest powers.
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Intellect
(uncountable) The capacity of that faculty (in a particular person).
They were chosen because of their outstanding intellect.
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
Intellect
A person who has that faculty to a great degree.
Some of the world's leading intellects were meeting there.
Intelligence
(countable) An entity that has such capacities.
Intellect
The part or faculty of the human mind by which it knows, as distinguished from the power to feel and to will; the power to judge and comprehend; the thinking faculty; the understanding.
Intelligence
, often secret, about an enemy or about hostile activities.
Intellect
The capacity for higher forms of knowledge, as distinguished from the power to perceive objects in their relations; mental capacity.
Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
Intellect
A particular mind, especially a person of high intelligence; as, he was a great intellect.
Intelligence
(dated) acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
Intellect
Knowledge and intellectual ability;
He reads to improve his mind
He has a keen intellect
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
Intellect
The capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination;
We are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil
Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
Intellect
A person who uses the mind creatively
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
Intelligence
The operation of gathering information about an enemy
Intelligence
The ability to learn, comprehend, and use knowledge.
His Intelligence was evident from a young age as he quickly grasped new concepts.
Intelligence
The entirety of cognitive faculties of an individual.
Dolphins are often cited for their notable Intelligence.
Common Curiosities
How does Intellect differ from Intelligence?
While Intellect focuses on reasoning and understanding, Intelligence covers a broader range of cognitive abilities.
Is IQ a measure of Intellect or Intelligence?
IQ measures Intelligence, which encompasses a range of cognitive abilities.
Can someone have high Intelligence but average Intellect?
Yes, a person might quickly grasp information (Intelligence) but not delve deep into philosophical reasoning (Intellect).
Can Intellect be developed?
Yes, through activities that stimulate deep thought and reasoning, one can nurture their Intellect.
Can someone be called "intellectual" based on their Intelligence?
"Intellectual" often refers to depth of thought (Intellect), not just cognitive ability (Intelligence).
How is Artificial Intelligence related to human Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence seeks to mimic human Intelligence in terms of learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
How do age and experience influence Intellect and Intelligence?
While Intelligence can remain relatively stable, Intellect can deepen with age and experience.
Are Intellect and Intelligence purely human traits?
No, many animals exhibit forms of Intelligence, and some higher primates show rudimentary Intellect.
Does education impact Intellect or Intelligence more?
Education can foster both, but it often directly targets Intelligence through the dissemination of knowledge.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
