What is “stupidity theory” and why is it important to know about it?

It is a common word to hear. When there is a conversation in which one of the interlocutors does not understand an aspect that may seem obvious, it is common for it to be openly called “stupid” or an open secret.

Whether in a debate about the veracity of facts widely corroborated by the scientific community or in an informal conversation during which, for example, someone asks what Hitler’s last name was.

The term is common and can sometimes be used solely for the purpose of denigrating or offending another person.

It is also a staple piece referenced in film comedies and stand-up comedy routines, but, What is beyond “stupidity” and why have so many scholars devoted themselves to it? study it from different regions?

Oxford University academic and author of the book Mini Philosophy: A Little Book of Big Ideas (2021), Jonny Thomson, analyzed Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “theory of stupidity” in an article he wrote for Think big .

In the, The philosophy professor described the German’s arguments for why he believes it is important, from a political and social point of view, to fear the “stupid” more than “evil”. .

For Bonhoeffer, a Protestant theologian opposed to Nazism who was silenced by Adolf Hitler’s regime in 1945, stupidity is worse than evil (i.e. consciously causing suffering to others), because the first can be manipulated and used for the purposes of the second .

Although there are some instances where stupidity may seem amusing – for example in a Hollywood movie on weekend television – it can cause problems in everyday life.

Thomson explained in his article on Bonhoeffer’s ideas that, unlike superhero movies where the villains are usually clearly identifiable – by their costumes or stereotypical attitudes – in real life it is harder to separate them, because “Evil” tends to operate in hidden ways. .

“You can protest against this; it can be reported and, if necessary, prevented by the use of force. Bonhoeffer wrote. But the problem is when it goes hand in hand with stupidity, through factors that make it less visible and therefore more difficult to recognize.

This happens, according to the author, for two reasons: because we tend to be more tolerant of stupidity (because we often don’t take it seriously) and because people considered “stupid” might omit arguments that come from logical reasoning. .

“Neither protests nor the use of force achieve anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict our prejudices simply do not need to be believed – at such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when the facts are irrefutable, they are simply set aside as inconsequential, as accessories. In all this, the stupid, unlike the bad, is completely satisfied with himself and, easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. Bonhoeffer explained.

According to Thomson’s interpretation, stupidity as such does not pose a serious threat to society, but it becomes so when it collides with “bad” intentions within political power.

“On closer inspection, it becomes evident that Any rise in power in the public sphere, whether political or religious, contaminates a large part of humanity with stupidity. ” wrote the German.

For him, this happens because “stupidity” does not disqualify one from public office and because, in Thomson’s words, “The nature of power requires that people give up certain faculties necessary for intelligent thought.” such as reflection, critical thinking and independence.

In other words, “Bonhoeffer’s argument is that the more a person fits into the world establishmentthe less individual he becomes,” in the sense that he has less control to operate according to his own criteria, even if these are well-founded.

“It’s as if the slogans, the mottos and the like (…) have taken over. He is bewitched, blinded, abused and mistreated in his own being,” the Oxford academic quoted him, before adding from his perspective that when this happens, “intelligent and critical thinkers now have a script to read, in which they will involve their smiles instead of their brains.

One of the most remarkable conclusions of Bonhoeffer’s “stupidity theory” is that it has enormous potential to affect people who are part of a system. as seen in dictatorships and groups of people who blindly defend human rights violations.

In Thomson’s words: “A powerful idiot does more harm than a band of Machiavellian schemers (…) we know when evil exists and we can deny its power” .

“But Stupidity is much harder to eliminate, which is why it is a dangerous weapon. Since bad guys have a hard time gaining power, they need stupid people to do their job. . Like a sheep in a field, a stupid person can be guided, directed and manipulated to do anything. Evil is a puppet master, and it loves nothing more than stupid puppets who indulge it, whether in the general public or in the corridors of power.