Anyone who doesn't put in the time and energy to think critically, reason thoroughly, or engage in deep thought is intellectually lazy. In it, you won't have to put in the mental effort necessary to fully investigate concepts or grasp complicated problems. People who lack intellectual rigor often resort to simplistic explanations, take things at face value, or make hasty judgments without giving them enough consideration. Being unable to think critically or make well-informed decisions is a potential consequence of this.

Thank you for your response. Intellectual laziness is based on surface-level thinking, lack of multifaceted analysis, and unwillingness to challenge oneself cognitively. It can bring negative consequences, becoming a barrier for success, academic advancement, or ideological victories.

Intellectual laziness could suggest someone's in-ability to not take a step further when it comes to critical thinking. It could suppose a lack of reflextion and a shallow level of analysis of information. The good part is that it can be prevented or at least be fought with the correspondent will power.

Thank you for your response. Yes, the positive aspect relates to the fact that intellectual laziness, like any other life-limiting habit, can be challenged, controlled, or overcome by mental strength and determination.

Intellectual laziness is not necessarily a sign of a lack of ability in critical thinking (or lack of any other ability) as has been suggested in this thread. It might also be a sign, for example, (i) of apathy, (ii) of having different priorities, or (iii) of having a sense of diminishing returns. It is not obvious that these are necessarily agential flaws; indeed, (ii) and (iii) might be supported by a cost-benefit analysis.

Thank you for your response. Intellectual laziness can reflect both the insufficient level of critical thinking, and lack of cognitive or academic engagement.

In our graduate program in philosophy we intermittently had students who turned out to be short on critical thinking ability and related skills but were far from lazy. Indeed they often worked much harder than others in the program but just couldn't measure up to expectations despite doing their best. Lack of intellectual rigor is not the same as intellectual laziness.

I agree: There is a huge difference between choice and ability. Laziness, in all its forms, is a choice, while the lack of intellectual strength can reflect one's cognitive abilities. However, intellectual laziness is a combination of cognitive strength, effort, academic dedication, and a lack of scholarly inspiration.