Some people say:"He is a real intellectual!" Does this mean that a person is educated or intelligent, morally stable or a patriot? Let's see when this concept arose and what is the meaning of it invested.
Etymology of the word
"Intelligent" - this word has Latin roots.Literally translated as "knowing, understanding, thinking." It came into use in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. In the cultural strata of society, it was originally a kind of synonym for the word "nobility", but later acquired a different meaning.
During the turbulent period of change of epochs at the turn of 19-20For centuries, the advanced and enlightened minds of the Russian Empire promoted: "... to fight forever and lose forever," "peace is spiritual meanness," "living honestly means fighting and not being afraid to make mistakes." This worldview has updated the concept of the intelligentsia. Her representative, an intellectual is a brave, determined and honest person, a patriot and a courageous fighter for human rights. He is smart, fair, dedicated. The intellectual is not a man in the street, but an active and useful member of society, his life is inseparable from an important business for the people. The meaning of this concept was a kind of alternative to the word "revolutionary".
Interpretation of the word in the 20th century in Russia and in the West
After the October Revolution of 1917, the countrylay in ruins. For her rebirth, strong laboring hands were needed, so the workers became the privileged class, and the intellectuals went into the shadows. Moreover, the word "intellectual" began to sound contempt. Now calling someone this way, they meant that a person is a parasite sitting on the neck of society, useless for society as a lazy and rogue.
In developed foreign countries, this word is alsoacquired a different meaning, but the vector of its update was completely different. In the West, "intellectual" is synonymous with the word "intellectual." It means people engaged in mental work. Scientists, teachers, doctors, artists and lawyers are intellectuals, regardless of moral values, they are not required to be a carrier of ideals.
Wide russian soul
And what an echo in the Slavic soul is the wordfinds today? It is associated primarily with a well-educated and cultural member of society, a fair one, not an idle talk, capable of self-improvement and being an example to follow. The intellectual is an active and industrious person, he is developed spiritually and pure in heart, arrogance and arrogance are alien to him, he appreciates culture and knowledge.
A true intellectual can equally wellengage in both intellectual activity and physical labor. Only moral values are important, but not an activity. A steelmaker can be a true intellectual in his soul, and an artist can be a common boor.
