Final answer:
The question of whether more intelligent people make better decisions than less intelligent ones is nuanced, and the answer is 'It depends.' Intelligence affects decision-making but does not exclusively determine it, as factors like emotional intelligence and external circumstances also influence choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether more intelligent people generally make better decisions than less intelligent people is a complex question, and the answer could best be described as "It depends." While possessing higher intellectual capacities may facilitate the ability to process information, think critically, and understand complex situations, decision-making also involves emotional intelligence, values, experience, and context. For instance, individuals who are highly intelligent but lack emotional awareness might make poor decisions in interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, the concept of determinism poses philosophical questions about free will and decision-making, suggesting that many factors influence human behavior and choices, including genetics, social conditioning, and environmental variables.
Therefore, intelligence is not the sole determinant of good decision-making. Various circumstances surrounding a choice, such as urgency, moral implications, and available resources, also play significant roles. The assumption that higher intelligence corresponds directly to better decision-making does not fully acknowledge the intricate tapestry of variables that contribute to the decisions we make in our day-to-day lives.