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The mistake of conflating intelligence and power

· Dwarkesh Patel · May 16, 2026, 7:18 p.m.
Intelligence, ethics philosophy power
Summary
This blog post challenges the common perception of intelligence, suggesting that if intelligence is defined by the ability to achieve goals, then historically controversial figures like Stalin could be considered highly intelligent. The discussion encourages readers to reflect on the often misunderstood relationship between intelligence and power.
Read full post on www.dwarkesh.com →
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