Have you ever met someone who seemed interesting at first, but later realized that they weren't as smart as you thought? How nice it would be if there was a way to figure this out from the start, before we invest in friendships, relationships, or partnerships.
According to philosopher Julian de Medeiros, a lecturer in political theory at the University of Kent, there is a simple behavior that can reveal a person's true level of intelligence. In his TikTok videos, where he goes by the name @julianphilosophy, he explains topics of philosophy and self-knowledge in an accessible way for the general public.
In one of his recent videos, he raises a rather interesting point: one of the clearest indicators of a lack of intelligence is the inability to take responsibility.
He refers to a quote by Ernest Bevin, a British politician active in the 1920s–1940s:
"People who are not intelligent are always looking for a scapegoat."
If a person always blames others for the problems they encounter, instead of doing self-analysis, they not only avoid responsibility but also block personal development. As de Medeiros says:
"A sign that someone is not very smart is that they are always blaming others. It is never their fault. It is always someone else's fault."
This behavior is more common than we think. We see it in politics, in family relationships, at work, anywhere where people avoid facing themselves and their mistakes.
De Medeiros emphasizes that taking responsibility is a sign of high intelligence, because it requires introspection, awareness, and a genuine desire to evolve. A smart person is strict with himself, analyzes his mistakes, and seeks to improve. While an unsmart person always needs an "enemy" to justify his decisions.
Psychology also supports this idea: self-awareness, the ability to reflect, and a self-critical attitude are indicators of developed intelligence. Even the need for alone time and the comfort of being alone with your thoughts are qualities of people with high intelligence.
Essentially, curiosity about ourselves and our role in the world is a key feature of what psychologists call intrapersonal intelligence, one of the types of multiple intelligences that Howard Gardner identified. Along with interpersonal intelligence (the ability to understand others), they are closely related to emotional intelligence, a sophisticated form of intelligence that goes beyond academic knowledge.
In another video, de Medeiros quotes the ancient philosopher Plutarch:
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be lit."
He explains that intelligence is not measured by how well someone knows things by heart, but by a thirst for learning, curiosity, and a desire to understand the world beyond the obvious. Intelligence requires skepticism, critical thinking, and a willingness to question everything, including oneself.
