The Fall of the Human Intellect

by A. Parthasarathy

"You make a living with intelligence. You make a life with INTELLECT" - A. Parthasarathy, Author Humanity has stopped thinking. The paucity of thought, reason and judgement has left the human intellect emaciated. Educational institutions focus on providing sheer knowledge, intelligence with no plan or program to develop the intellect. The world today is all intelligence, no intellect. The loss of intellect has left humans with stress, depression and disease. And the world with vandalism, militancy and terrorism. Humanity now faces an urgent need to rehabilitate, reconstruct the fallen intellect. You are humans. You alone have the ability to rebuild the intellect. Rise above the crisis. Regain the sovereign status of the human species.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology

135 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2007

Reviews

[Dipika sankhe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book. The role of human intellect in everyday life is seldom understood. Swami Parthasarathy has explain it so well. The Development to human species, dilemma of choice humans face every second of their life, why mind wreaks havoc the way it does-such an interesting structure. Further the author speaks about how there is a blur line between intelligence and intellect. This was eye opening!! There is a very interesting mention about Educational systems that I have never come across anywhere else. Interesting read. Each page needs pondering over so I took my own sweet time to complete this book. Highly recommend. Almost life altering!!

[Nagaraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book to read. Good information about intellect and intelligence. Details about what or why human society is in doldrums. One thing I observed is author gave all his examples/references from English Poems. Overall, good book to read about body, mind, intellect, information, intelligence, etc. and what to develop and what not to develop.

[Dipika Bangera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book.

I promise to make a concrete effort to start using or rather developing my intellect and applying it in my day to day life.

It will definitely be worth it. A MUST READ guys!!
Will save you a lot of heartache in future and need I say, improve your life by leaps and bounds...

[Sanjana Sannamari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I agree with everything in this book. It seems like an ideal way to live. But in today's world as an individual in her 20s surrounded by competition and pressure to make something out of your life; it doesn't seem all too possible to live without desires and goals.

Maybe I need to broaden my perspective and change my mindset. But I think this book doesn't consider the current condition and limitations.

What can I do to get the focus talked about in this book with all that I need to achieve?

I understand that Sattva is the best way to live but how do I get there if I don't have the priviledge of slowing down and living a simple life?

Maybe all this will make some sense to me someday.

3 stars for now.

[Earl Pike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent argument. Excellent perspective. But the book, while brief, is daunting. I am familiar with reading phylisophical treatises, but this near unbareably repetative. The last few chapters minimally expand the notion that intellect is dead and the danger humanity faces a result but not by much. I spent the majority of the time reading, albeit fairly brief (the days were broken up due to frustration and shear bordem with this title), screaming for the author to "get on with it". All in all, not awful but you can skip and jump around a lot. TLDR; Author rambled to make a book to sell.

[Sunder Nagarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read and another source of intelligence. I would advise readers to read a lot more on the subject (not just as recommended by the author) for a better understanding.

[Manish Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Referred by somebody out of a discussion on philosophy(the usefulness of it was the question), reading nu-age authors does seem relatable, but surely its easy to relate to them when you are incapable of seeing far. This book took a lot of time to digest as each word is picked and arranged beautifully. Its best read in case you are in some situation where you don't know what to do (it provides clarity). It now has a special place in my shelf.

Shit-less facts combined this will be a type of guide that you would need in today's times.

[hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a tad intense and repetitive at times, I think therein lies the power. He is constantly reiterating and rephrasing his point in, out, up, down, diagonal, and side to side. This book is full of so much insight and awareness, though I do not agree with everything here, but it really was a wake up call in a lot of ways about the patterns and herd mentalities I have fallen into, and how I can break out of them.

[Imane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opener to understand what it is society needs to thrive again and you as a person also thrive. This was a great first book to get into reading and made me realise even more how important it was. It delves on human nature, how the intellect helps and enriches that as well as the difference between intellects and intelligence. How lack of intellect is ruining our world, education system, and relationships.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

One possible explanation for the human race's current (pathetic) state of affairs. A LOT of inner work needs to take place and that too from childhood, in order to gradually flush out desire-ridden actions and instead, lean into the friction of effort and enjoy that for what it is... the process, not the end result.

[Richa Kewalramani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on the importance of the human intellect, and ways to develop it. Definitely an interesting read, that provokes further contemplation. I can positively say that this book has got me excited to read more books authored by A. Parthasarathy, which to be earnest, is more of a compliment than anything else that I can write here.

[Don Chering · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice fast read in which Swami Partasarsthy captures the essence of the Vedas. I found some solid teachings that will add to my existing beliefs.
It is a great book for anyone wanting to understand or get a 50,000' view of this teaching. I would reccomend this to.anyone that is starting their search.

[Viral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by the author. Helps you understand where we came from and how the intellect has evolved. Touches all aspect of life. Provides a different dimension to think and introspect. The best part is that the book is very easy to read, intellectually convincing and provides easy and practical steps to implement in life.

[Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is all about how your intellect is more important than knowledge but it doesn't mention how to update your intellect except before you go to sleep every night just review how your day was without judging your actions.

[Maiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and easy to read. The ideas are aligned with buddhism as well with contemporary success principles, but nowhere before I have seen the intellect, attachments and desires so well explained.
A great book for recommending to read to people from any walks of life!

[Naveen Thiyagu Bashingam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligence is acquired from schools and universities while the intellect is developed by oneself says the author .By reading this book you d get a better understanding of Mind Body Spirit Intellect . A Wonderful book to read if one dwells into spirituality in turn becoming a better person .

[Somparna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fall of Human Intellect makes a great case for why and how man has outsourced his thinking capacity with some very relevant examples from varied aspects of life. There are some repetitions, but the language is easy and the book is a short read. Overall eye-opening and convincing.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy I listened to this to deepen my understanding of the intellect. Paired well with all of my yoga philosophy I am learning and just a great mind opening book all together. I like when the authors narrate their own books.

[Amit Talpade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend and rereading to understand the difference between intelligence and intellect. Tries to answers many questions that have troubled humanity. This book is dense and don't let the brevity mislead you .

[Anusha Patil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. A little redundant in certain points made. Otherwise, an educational book.

[Shivaani Pillay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read for the world!!!

[Souvik Khamrui · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound guide to live in peace and bliss - highly recommended.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew me away. Could read a piece of this every day and find new things.

[Nirri Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provocative. Uncomfortable. Telling it as it is. Can’t wait to study every line and understand it further. Recommended if you are keen to understand yourself better.

[Rajni Vashist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best learning book for self Introspection step wise identifying your intelligence and intellect.

[Kishan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, just a little repetitive at times

[Neonreader]

midwit core

[Logeswara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teachings by Swamiji. Who opened my eyes to spiritual and intellectual path.

[Sarasvatī · Rating 1 out of 5]

The chapter on Desires was well presented. But the book feels preachy and Eurocentric. One must wonder why Indian poets like Kalidasa, Rabindranath Tagore, Shankaracarya, etc., were not included when there's such a rich spiritual heritage in India's poems. The author also commits another huge faux-pas when, talking about cooperation, he exemplifies this quality with two nations which stand tall today after the almost successful genocide of their native people. One of them which built itself on the back of the very people it enslaved. Lastly, the author presents many poems and excerpts of European poets/writers he deeply admires, giving them due credit, but there's a quote about Lord Buddha which was not addressed as such.

Since this is a self-published book, the absence of a qualified editor is palpable. Also missing: the sources he used to compile this book. There's no bibliography.

Having studied Vedānta Treatise: The Eternities first, this is the book I would recommend for anyone who wants to study Vedānta through a modern approach. Most of the information presented here was originally introduced to the reader in Vedānta Treatise: The Eternities, almost word by word, and meticulously elaborated upon there.

[Ingrid Gmeiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking philosophical and spiritual book. I read this as part of the Vedanta learning that I'm doing. The book is the first in a series of teachings. Through vendata practices you can develop your intellect to live your life in peace and harmony. Question everything and take nothing for granted.