Defining "clever" - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Zeraph · 12-06-2008, 10:44 AM

I tend to ponder the meaning of words, most people tend to equate clever with intelligence or education. But really it's not the same, is it? Watching Doctor Who made me think of this

It's really more about seeing creative/novel solutions to problems and the speed at which it happens.

Like Newton was highly intelligent, but Einstein was really clever.

Can you think of anyone you know that is really clever but not necessarily highly educated/intelligent? It's rather hard to distinguish in practical application, except in larger than life cases like Einstein.

Could we make a test to measure cleverness one day? Or is it realistically indistinguishable?

JamesB · 12-06-2008, 12:46 PM

What makes this exercise futile is that it is based too heavily on a definition which itself is flawed and/or open to too much interpretation.

How exactly would you measure 'creativeness' ? Which is really (to me any ways) a component of being clever. Clever = intelligent + creative.

ratbastid · 12-06-2008, 01:02 PM

There's a social component to cleverness. I'd say that cleverness is the IMPRESSION of quickness and sharpness.

I know a woman who had a stroke several years ago and as a result has very flat affect. Everyone around might be falling over laughing, she'll have a little smile on her face, like that. She's BRILLIANT, and when she opens her mouth, very, very funny. But she's not what you'd call clever, because mostly she doesn't say those things out loud, or react in the way you'd think a "clever" person would to stimuli.

12-06-2008, 10:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Defining "clever" I tend to ponder the meaning of words, most people tend to equate clever with intelligence or education. But really it's not the same, is it? Watching Doctor Who made me think of this It's really more about seeing creative/novel solutions to problems and the speed at which it happens. Like Newton was highly intelligent, but Einstein was really clever. Can you think of anyone you know that is really clever but not necessarily highly educated/intelligent? It's rather hard to distinguish in practical application, except in larger than life cases like Einstein. Could we make a test to measure cleverness one day? Or is it realistically indistinguishable?

12-06-2008, 12:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
JamesB Insane Location: Ottawa	What makes this exercise futile is that it is based too heavily on a definition which itself is flawed and/or open to too much interpretation. How exactly would you measure 'creativeness' ? Which is really (to me any ways) a component of being clever. Clever = intelligent + creative. __________________ -- apt-get install spare_time --

12-06-2008, 01:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	There's a social component to cleverness. I'd say that cleverness is the IMPRESSION of quickness and sharpness. I know a woman who had a stroke several years ago and as a result has very flat affect. Everyone around might be falling over laughing, she'll have a little smile on her face, like that. She's BRILLIANT, and when she opens her mouth, very, very funny. But she's not what you'd call clever, because mostly she doesn't say those things out loud, or react in the way you'd think a "clever" person would to stimuli.