— Famous people & IQ

Philippa Foot IQ: 160 (estimated)

Estimated IQ

160

Field

Philosopher

Source basis

Trolley problem

Rarity

top ~0.003%

Important note: Philippa Foot's IQ figure of 160 is an estimate. It comes from historiometric analysis (most prominently Catharine Cox's 1926 study of 300 historical geniuses), childhood ratio-IQ testing, or post-hoc assessment of biographical achievements — not from direct clinical IQ measurement.

Where the 160 estimate comes from

The number is a widely-circulated estimate based on Philippa Foot's documented work, peer assessments, and historical accounts. Like most famous-person IQs, it should be read as a defensible upper-end estimate rather than a measured score.

What the score implies — and what it doesn't

An IQ of 160 is in the Profoundly Gifted range — top 0.13% or so. Capable of mastering arbitrary abstract subjects with comparatively little instruction.

Philippa Foot's achievements in Philosopher reflect more than raw IQ. The pattern across high-achieving figures is that cognitive ability gets you into the game; the variables that determine outcomes from there are conscientiousness, sustained focus, time-on-task, mentorship, environment, and a tolerance for the social isolation that often accompanies deep specialized work.

Comparison with peers in Philosopher

Person	Est. IQ	Note
John Stuart Mill	180	Cox estimate
Voltaire	190	Cox estimate
Bertrand Russell	180	Principia Mathematica
Ludwig Wittgenstein	170	Logical positivism
Karl Marx	160	Cox estimate
Philippa Foot	160	Trolley problem

How does your IQ compare to Philippa Foot?

Take a 20-minute calibrated test against the same standard distribution — see your six-axis cognitive profile.

The limits of celebrity IQ estimates

Historiometric estimates like Cox's are biographical inference, not measurement. Catharine Cox herself rated the reliability as "I" through "IV"; many figures are rated "III" or "IV" — weakest evidence.
Childhood ratio-IQs (mental age / chronological age × 100) systematically inflate scores compared to modern deviation IQ. A 1900-era child labeled "IQ 200" would likely test 140-160 on a modern WAIS.
Self-reported figures from public figures are essentially never independently verifiable.
Achievement is not pure intelligence. The correlation between extreme achievement and pure IQ peaks around 130-140; above that, conscientiousness and circumstance dominate the variance.

Frequently asked

What is Philippa Foot's IQ?

Philippa Foot's IQ is widely estimated at 160, based on trolley problem. This is an estimate, not a clinically measured score.

Did Philippa Foot actually take an IQ test?

Likely not a formal modern IQ assessment. Celebrity IQ figures are usually estimates from secondary sources rather than verified clinical results.

How accurate is the IQ 160 figure?

Treat it as a defensible upper-end estimate within ±10-15 points. Famous-person IQ estimates carry substantial uncertainty and methodological bias.