The Danger of 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…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. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous. “ From Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Lutheran Pastor and influential Christian writer

I saw this quote on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Aug. 8 Substack post, and I keep thinking about how relevant it is to today’s world. We live in a world where experts are targeted as liars and charlatans, and liars and charlatans are seen as wise men (women). Bertrand Russell said it best: “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” Those who manipulate people are more than aware of these facts and are more than willing to use them to their advantage.