This from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the Prologue to Letters and Papers from Prison, translated by Lisa E. Cahill, et al. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2015, Kindle edition, page 9). By stupidity, Bonhoeffer means a sort of willed ignorance. Stupid people can be, often are, intellectually capable. It requires no other comment.
On Stupidity
Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed—in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical—and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack.
4 responses to “Bonhoeffer on Stupidity”
If I may venture a comment anyway, I find the following claim especially interesting: “[F]acts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed—in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical.” I take him to be using the term “critical” in a quasi-academic sense, suggesting a willingness to question the authority of our sources of knowledge. People who reject scientific consensus on, say, vaccines or climate change, often justify their skepticism by positing a conspiracy of scientists with dark forces (Big Pharma or Internationalists). “Doing your own research on the Internet” involves looking for sources that confirm your pre-existing biases. But it can appear, superficially, as if they are advocating for independent, “critical” thinking.
Thanks, David. I looked up the German text. It’s kritisch, sogar kritisch, which I think means “critical” in the popular sense. When a fool (German Dumme) is confronted by facts, he (it’s often a he) doubles down on his vorurteil, his prejudgment. We daily see this play out at the highest levels of government.
Stupidity. Where does it come from? It’s not a lack of education, but it could help.
Is it a deficit in upbringing? Though that could bring up some challenging point for parents.
Or is it the culture? A culture that in a broad sense promotes the things and experiences that serves self. The goals shaped by acquisition, consumerism, pleasure and hedonistic excitement and self-promotion.
Even if the source or cause of stupidity is elusive, it does much to undermine a properly functioning democracy.
True. Thanks Jasper.