Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byKellen Borne Modified over 10 years ago
1
TEN WAYS TO BE A FORMIDABLE INTELLECTUAL
2
Student Activity Advance Notice You will be given 10 ways to be an intellectual. Try to understand all 10. After all 10 ideas have been presented, you will be asked to rank the 10 ideas in order of importance
3
WHY? Intellectuals are the original and creative thinkers who develop new ideas and make us see the world differently The quality of our thinking and the energy and commitment we give to it are crucial to becoming an intellectual Studying for exams in academic disciplines is only part of this process, but it is a good place to start.
4
WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE? All the subjects you study are academic disciplines This means that they embody a particular way of looking at the world using particular concepts and theories Getting inside a discipline is necessary before you can start to think creatively about Geography or Physics or Maths
5
(1) UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT Be clear what your subject has to offer society It may help to bring economic and technological benefits It may help us to understand how humans behave It may be worthwhile studying in its own right
6
(2) UNDERSTAND THAT IT CANNOT TELL YOU THE WHOLE STORY The human and physical worlds are complex and there are no easy answers For example, biology tells us something about human behaviour but we need psychology, sociology and anthropology to get a fuller picture Studying something by combining disciplines is often more fruitful
7
(3) BE HONEST ABOUT THE EVIDENCE We all have preconceived ideas but be open minded and flexible If facts, evidence or data emerge which contradict what you think, adapt and incorporate them into your thinking and change your views Dogmatism (intolerance of other ideas) is the enemy of a good mind
8
(4) DO NOT BELIEVE ALL THAT YOU ARE TOLD: BE SCEPTICAL Constantly question views, theories and opinions that you are faced with Test every idea to destruction so that you can tell which ones really stand up Don’t be too easily persuaded Understand that what we currently think is only the best knowledge we have at the time
9
(5) BE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING IDEAS Be enthusiastic about debate Articulate your ideas It is only in discussion and debate with others that we really clarify what we think Test your views against the views of others Do not be defensive. Get used to being challenged
10
(6) BE AWARE OF THE DEBATES AND ISSUES IN YOUR SUBJECT Understand that in all subjects there is not just one way of looking at things There will be different perspectives, schools of thought, different views about how the subject should be studied Be clear where you stand in relation to these debates
11
(7) READ WIDELY AND KEEP UP TO DATE Textbooks quickly get out of date and have a narrow focus Get a breadth of understanding which goes beyond what is in the syllabus Read subject magazines or journals to keep in touch with the latest developments There will be a subject association which will have web-site. Refer to this to keep in touch
12
(8) FOLLOW THINGS UP ON YOUR OWN INITIATIVE Low achievers want to be told what to do High achievers use their own initiative to follow up ideas or topics that they have found interesting Become an independent learner who knows their way round a subject and who has the enthusiasms to pursue knowledge without being directed
13
(9) UNDERSTAND SOMETHING OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF YOUR SUBJECT It helps to know how your subject has developed, how people approached it in the past This will give you a better sense of what it is all about and a clearer insight into how it has reached its current position
14
(10) WRITE SIMPLY AND CLEARLY In all your written work use simple, clear English Do not use pretentious language to make your ideas seem more profound than they are Forcing yourself to write in this way and without using jargon will actually make you think more clearly
15
Student Activity Rank the 10 ways in order of importance (1)UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT (2)UNDERSTAND THAT IT CANNOT TELL YOU THE WHOLE STORY (3)BE HONEST ABOUT THE EVIDENCE (4)DO NOT BELIEVE ALL THAT YOU ARE TOLD: BE SCEPTICAL (5)BE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING IDEAS (6)BE AWARE OF THE DEBATES AND ISSUES IN YOUR SUBJECT (7)READ WIDELY AND KEEP UP TO DATE (8)FOLLOW THINGS UP ON YOUR OWN INITIATIVE (9)UNDERSTAND THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF YOUR SUBJECT (10)WRITE SIMPLY AND CLEARLY
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.