Stupidity

Stupidity is a greater problem than evil.

Bietrich Bonhoeffer "BÖSARTIGKEIT vs. DUMMHEIT", in English it’s “Malice vs. Stupidity“"

Stupidity types:

• Outsourcing critical thinking
• Willful ignorance (Amathia)
• Conformity

Stupidity is not:

• foolishness (whacking a golf ball in urban area and busting a window)
• lack of cognitive ability (e.g. Legos, IKEA)
• ignorance (capital of Indonesia), that which can be resolved

There is:

• Ordinary Stupidity
• Intelligent stupidity - uses their abilities for foolish ends (e.g. Nazism)

Youtube: The 3 ways stupidity spreads throughout a society | Jonny Thomson

Also:

• "Stupid - all that means is you know better, you're choosing not to do better." The Four Kinds of Black Americans-Andre Williams

This video, featuring philosopher Jonny Thomson, explores the concept of stupidity as defined by the theologian and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Thomson argues that, contrary to popular belief, stupidity is a more dangerous threat to civilization than malice or evil (0:23 - 1:40).

Key takeaways:

• Defining Stupidity: Bonhoeffer distinguished stupidity from foolishness, cognitive impairment, or simple ignorance. Instead, he defined it as a sociological phenomenon characterized by:

  1. Outsourcing critical thinking: Relying on third parties (like technology, influencers, or algorithms) to do our moral and logical reasoning for us (3:26 - 5:19).
  2. Willful ignorance (Amathia): A stubborn refusal to learn or acknowledge facts, often celebrating one's lack of knowledge (5:36 - 6:40).
  3. Conformity: Surrendering individual agency to groupthink or tribal identity, which Thomson notes is how systems like Nazism gained traction (6:43 - 8:30).

• Stupidity vs. Evil: Thomson explains that evil is easier to fight because it is an intentional, identifiable force that the rest of society can rally against. Stupidity, however, is often tolerated or hidden within systems (such as the case of Albert Speer at the Nuremberg Trials), making it harder to dismantle (9:11 - 12:00).

• How to Combat Stupidity:

  • Individual level: Engage in "falsification" by seeking out arguments that challenge your existing beliefs (22:15 - 23:10).
  • Interpersonal level: Adopt a Socratic approach—ask open-ended questions rather than being confrontational to help others analyze their own views (24:33 - 25:20).
  • Institutional level: Foster cultures of dissent and use mechanisms like "decision circles" to ensure diverse perspectives are heard before finalizing choices (25:23 - 27:25).