"Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s concept of 'stupidity' in Letters and Papers from Prison (first published in 1951) is a profound analysis of a societal and moral phenomenon, not just an individual intellectual deficiency. His essay on stupidity, often excerpted and widely discussed, highlights stupidity as a dangerous and systemic issue that undermines human dignity and truth," Cangik, never one to let a conversation die, jumped back in the chat after watching a video of Prince Beler (in Sundanese, 'beler' describes the face of someone who's had a bit drunk) calling roll on every Chinese Zodiac sign. He proudly declared himself a card-carrying member of the Rabbit Zodiac, "I'm a Rabbit," he squeaked, twitching his nose for emphasis, and that the rooster, ox, and rat were the Zodiac all-stars, this year's cosmic Lottery Winners. Prince Beller's behaviour has been widely criticized, the negative response on social media suggests that his behaviour may have been counterproductive. Meanwhile, Limbuk, deeply engrossed in a news story about the arrival of Turkish President Erdogan, headlined "Stare Wars, The Gaze-Intensive Agent: Episode Erdogan," chimed in, "Bonhoeffer distinguishes stupidity from a lack of intelligence. Stupid people may be highly educated or clever, but their failure lies in moral reasoning and their inability to question or resist external influences. Stupidity, in this sense, is about a lack of self-reflection and critical judgment. 'Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice.'
Malice involves intent and active harm, but it can be countered through reason and confrontation. Stupidity, on the other hand, is passive, resistant to reason, and allows evil to spread unchecked because it does not recognize its complicity."
"It seems that you know more about this than I do, Limbuk! Please tell me more!" Cangik said. Then, Limbuk went on, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of 'stupidity' is discussed in his writings, particularly in his work Letters and Papers from Prison, where he reflects on the nature of evil, stupidity, and the dangers of blind obedience in totalitarian regimes.
In this context, Bonhoeffer describes 'stupidity' not as a lack of intelligence, but as a deeper moral failure. He argues that stupidity is more dangerous than evil because it is resistant to reason and cannot be corrected by logic or argument. Stupidity, according to Bonhoeffer, involves a refusal to see and understand the reality of situations, which makes it especially destructive in a societal and political context.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s reflections on 'stupidity' provide profound insight into the social and moral dynamics of his time, especially under the Nazi regime. He discusses how 'stupidity' poses a greater threat to humanity than malice, as it undermines reason, truth, and moral integrity. Bonhoeffer argues that stupidity is not merely a lack of intellectual ability but a moral and spiritual failing. Intelligent people can be 'stupid' in this sense if they surrender their capacity for critical thinking and discernment. He observes that stupidity is not an innate characteristic but is often a result of external influences, such as propaganda or authoritarian control.
Bonhoeffer suggests that stupidity is not an individual problem but a collective one. It thrives in environments where people submit to groupthink or blindly follow leaders. In his words, 'It seems that stupidity is not so much an intellectual defect as a human defect.'
Stupidity arises when individuals relinquish their autonomy and allow their thoughts and actions to be dictated by others. Under oppressive regimes, this is particularly evident, as people stop thinking critically and adopt the ideology imposed on them.
Why Stupidity is more dangerous than Evil? Bonhoeffer notes that evil can often be confronted and exposed through reason, argument, or moral appeals. However, stupidity is impervious to logic or evidence. A person under the grip of stupidity cannot recognize facts that contradict their worldview. 'Against stupidity, we are defenceless. Neither protests nor force can touch it; reasoning is of no use. Facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed—in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical,' says Bonhoeffer.
Bonhoeffer’s reflections emerged from his experiences in Nazi Germany, where he witnessed many otherwise intelligent and capable people supporting Hitler’s regime. He saw how propaganda and authoritarianism exploited human weakness, turning ordinary people into passive enablers of evil. Bonhoeffer himself actively resisted the Nazis, joining the German resistance and participating in plots to overthrow Hitler. His arrest in 1943 and subsequent execution in 1945 give weight to his observations, as they were forged in the crucible of one of history’s most oppressive regimes.
Bonhoeffer’s reflections remain timeless, as they describe how propaganda, blind obedience, and groupthink can erode societies. His warning is clear: moral courage, critical thinking, and personal responsibility are essential to safeguarding freedom and resisting evil. Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity resonates profoundly in today’s world, as many of the dynamics he described—such as propaganda, groupthink, and moral complacency—continue to influence societies..
In the age of social media and 24-hour news cycles, disinformation spreads faster and further than ever. Bonhoeffer’s idea that stupidity resists facts is evident in the persistence of conspiracy theories and fake news. People often cling to these beliefs, not because they are uninformed, but because they are unwilling to challenge their worldview. Algorithms amplify this phenomenon by creating echo chambers, reinforcing pre-existing biases, and making it harder for people to access or consider opposing viewpoints.
Just as the Nazis used propaganda to control public opinion, today’s disinformation campaigns (whether political or corporate) exploit human weaknesses, turning large segments of the population into passive followers of falsehoods.
Groupthink occurs in organizations, communities, and even nations when individuals prioritize conformity over critical thinking. This can lead to the suppression of dissenting voices and the acceptance of harmful ideologies. Modern examples include the polarization of political discourse, where loyalty to a party or ideology often overrides objective reasoning. This creates environments where questioning the group’s beliefs is seen as betrayal.
Bonhoeffer noted that stupidity flourishes in collective settings where individuals feel safe surrendering their moral and intellectual independence. Today, this dynamic is observable in cult-like devotion to charismatic leaders or ideologies, regardless of their flaws.
In times of crisis or fear, people are more likely to follow authoritarian leaders who promise security or order. This can lead to the erosion of democratic norms and the acceptance of unethical policies. Recent examples include the rise of populist leaders who appeal to emotions rather than reason, using slogans and rhetoric to galvanize support while silencing opposition. Bonhoeffer’s Germany witnessed a similar dynamic, where Hitler’s charisma and propaganda led to widespread compliance. He warned that blind obedience allows evil to flourish because it absolves individuals of personal responsibility.
Bonhoeffer’s prescription for combating stupidity—moral courage, critical thinking, and personal responsibility—is more relevant than ever. Education systems must emphasize critical thinking skills, teaching individuals how to evaluate information, question authority, and recognize bias. Media literacy is crucial in an era where misinformation is rampant. People must learn to discern credible sources from unreliable ones.
Bonhoeffer believed that stupidity is, at its core, a moral failing. Encouraging people to act on their conscience, even when it is unpopular, is essential to resisting collective stupidity. Examples include whistleblowers who expose corruption, activists who challenge injustice, and ordinary citizens who refuse to be complicit in wrongdoing.
Social and political systems should prioritize the protection of free speech and dissent. Environments where people feel safe expressing alternative viewpoints are less likely to succumb to groupthink. Bonhoeffer’s warning about the dangers of blind obedience is a call to remain vigilant against authoritarian tendencies. Citizens must hold leaders accountable and resist efforts to centralize power or silence opposition.
Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. embodied moral courage, challenging systemic stupidity (e.g., racism) with appeals to justice and truth. Their movements demonstrated the power of individual and collective awakening to overcome ignorance. Figures like Edward Snowden or Frances Haugen (Facebook whistleblower) exemplify Bonhoeffer’s call to act against societal complacency. By exposing unethical practices, they force societies to confront uncomfortable truths. Climate activists like Greta Thunberg challenge 'stupidity' by refusing to accept the inaction of governments and corporations on climate change. Their efforts aim to awaken society to the moral and practical urgency of environmental issues.
How Stupidity can be overcome? Bonhoeffer points out that education or intelligence alone cannot solve the problem of stupidity. It is a deeper moral failure tied to a lack of independence and critical thinking. Overcoming stupidity requires a return to personal responsibility, moral courage, and spiritual awakening. Individuals must break free from groupthink and rediscover their ability to think critically and act according to their conscience. True freedom, in Bonhoeffer’s view, is the antidote to stupidity. A free person can resist external manipulation and remain grounded in truth.
While Bonhoeffer’s insights are profound, overcoming stupidity remains challenging in modern contexts. Social media allows stupidity to scale at unprecedented levels, making it harder to combat misinformation effectively. Emotional appeals often overpower reason, especially in politically or socially charged issues. In a world overwhelmed by crises, people may become desensitized, making them less likely to question authority or engage critically.
Despite these challenges, Bonhoeffer’s work reminds us that transformation is possible. He writes, 'A time will come when people will be more discerning. In the end, stupidity will be overcome by action and clarity, not passivity.'
This hope underscores the importance of continued efforts to educate, awaken, and inspire people to resist the forces that foster stupidity.
In the next session, we'll discuss Carlo M. Cipolla’s The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity, a thought-provoking essay that humorously and incisively examines human stupidity as a consistent and disruptive force in society. Cipolla initially published this work as part of a larger collection, Allegro ma non-troppo (1976). The essay later became widely known and is now often discussed independently."
