Stupidity. Why is stupidity the greatest evil? A justified question to which I will try to answer. If you think it’s unimportant, you are gravely mistaken. In my opinion, and that of others, it is the greatest evil.
Stupidity, A Simplified Theory.
Humans are complex beings. We belong to an intelligent species that, thanks to intellect and accumulated knowledge, has become dominant on the planet. We built pyramids and skyscrapers, traveled to the Moon, and invented the internet.
Yet, stupidity has always been our constant companion.
It has killed millions, caused greed, carelessness, and disregard for the environment. Surprisingly, all the virtues characteristic of our species pale in comparison to this destructive force.
It is paradoxically foolish that we harm ourselves and others, develop prejudices, and defend them to the end. Whether we like it or not, stupidity is one of the most powerful forces on Earth, and its role in human history cannot be underestimated.
Stupidity, Is There Something Systematic in Humans?
Interestingly, scientists distinguish four different types of people: the stupid, the helpless, the intelligent, and the bandits. Stupidity is far more dangerous than we might think.
“There are only two infinite things: the universe and stupidity. Although I’m not sure about the universe.”
— Albert Einstein
The Theory of Human Stupidity.
There are no simple answers to the question of who is intelligent and who is stupid. However, evil is easy to distinguish from 
good, and an honest person from a dishonest one.
This is because stupidity is not obvious, and its destructive power is often underestimated. The Italian economic historian Carlo Cipolla, in his book:
“The Fundamental Laws of Human Stupidity”, writes that stupid people are much more dangerous than bandits, especially if they are born into the elite.
If you’re interested, the book is available for purchase here.
In his 60-page essay published in 1976, Cipolla categorizes people into four main groups: the intelligent, the bandits, the helpless, and the stupid.
All are defined based on the concepts of gain and loss, somewhat echoing the prisoner’s dilemma — a fundamental problem in game theory, where players do not always cooperate, even when it is in their best interest.
Stupidity, A Deeper Look.
A person can bring benefits to others, benefit themselves, cause harm to others, or cause harm to themselves. According to the proposed theory, helpless people contribute to society, but they are often exploited by others, especially bandits.
If you recall, the most dangerous individuals are those in government, parliament, and active political roles!
For this reason, their contribution is limited, and this category is often occupied by altruists or pacifists (due to their moral beliefs).
Intelligent people direct their efforts and actions for the benefit of society, while also benefiting themselves. Since their actions benefit those around them, helpless people, according to Cipolla, should be supported.
In contrast, bandits pursue their own interests and enrich themselves, even if it harms society. However, stupid people, according to the Italian researcher, are far more dangerous than bandits because they create pure losses for society and often do so without any apparent reason.
Their actions also frustrate, anger, and confuse those around them.
1. Intelligent people benefit both themselves and society.
2. Bandits steal from others to benefit themselves.
3. Helpless people are exploited due to their naivety, despite contributing positively to society.
4. Stupid people are unproductive both for their individual interests and for society as a whole.
Humans Are Social Beings, and Stupidity Is Deeply Rooted in the Subconscious. Every group of people tends to have some stupid individuals, even among Nobel Prize laureates, professors, and workers.
The reality is that we have to encounter many people wherever we go, and the percentage of fools can be disproportionately high. At the same time, stupid people as a group are far more powerful than the mafia and the military-industrial complex because they control and influence social processes:
“The general ability of stupid people to harm society is infinite within their potential positions: bureaucrats, generals, and even politicians.”
The Five Laws of Human Stupidity.
• Everyone always and inevitably underestimates the number of stupid people in leading positions within the state.
• The probability that a person is stupid is independent of their other characteristics. Education, wealth, or status have nothing to do with it.
• A foolish person is someone who harms others without gaining any benefit from their actions.
• Intelligent people always underestimate the destructive power of fools and constantly forget that dealing with them is always a big mistake.
• A stupid person is the most dangerous of all.
Notably, contrary to the main cultural trends among his intellectual colleagues, Cipolla was convinced that humans are not equal.
“Some are stupid, and others are not. The difference is determined by nature and nothing else. A person is stupid just as someone else is a redhead,” thought the scientist.
He also argued that the destructive potential of a stupid person depends on the amount of inherent stupidity and their social status.
In other words, stupidity is a variable that remains constant across all populations. In every imaginable category — gender, ethnicity, nationality, education, income — there is a certain percentage of stupid people.
Stupidity Is the Most Dangerous Force in the World.
The German theologian and philosopher Dietrich Bonhoeffer also stated that stupidity is worse than evil. He believed that stupidity goes hand in hand with power because, upon acquiring it, we abandon our individual critical abilities.
Thanks to pop culture, the villains we imagine dress in black, kill on a whim, and laugh at their devilish plans. In reality, things are not so prosaic — maniacs, criminals, and serial killers often look no different from ordinary people.
However, these cruel individuals do not pose a major threat to society’s safety, if only because we know about them — as soon as something becomes known as evil, the good of the world can unite to fight it.
Evil can be protested against; it can be exposed and, if necessary, eliminated by force. Evil always carries the seed of its own downfall.
Stupidity Manifests in Various Ways.
A stupid person is a slippery opponent. They cannot be defeated in debates and will not listen to reason. Moreover, when a stupid person is cornered and confronted with irrefutable facts, they break down and shout at their opponent.
Neither protests nor the use of force are effective because arguments are ignored. Facts that contradict their beliefs simply should not be believed — at such moments, a stupid person even becomes critical.
When the facts are irrefutable, they are simply dismissed as insignificant or accidental. Despite all this, a stupid person, unlike an evil one, is extremely self-satisfied and, easily irritated, becomes dangerous and goes on the attack.
Does this not remind you of Donald Trump, whose behavior fits 100% of what is said here?
Conclusions.
Stupidity, like evil, is not a threat as long as it has no power. However, as soon as a fool gains power, they will infect most of humanity with it. We can only watch as the internet and social media help stupidity spread.
How to Deal with Stupidity?
The reasons for what is happening are, unfortunately, obvious — stupidity does not deprive a person of the right to hold certain positions or wield power.
Moreover, history is full of examples of fools rising to the top, getting rid of those who dared to think.
This is required by the very nature of power — to master it, one must give up several abilities necessary for rational thinking, such as reflection, independence, and critical thinking.
Isn’t it similar to how fools in the elect (or negot) the USA President!
The more power a person has, the smaller they become. When a charismatic and talented stupid men the desired position, they become an imbecile.
Therefore, stupidity should be regarded as something worse than evil — one powerful fool can do more harm than a band of Machiavellian schemers.
Machiavellianism, characterized by ironic narcissism, mainly correlates with the easiest styles available to such individuals. For example, artificial wit, demonstrating superiority, and intelligence that, in essence, does not exist. (A classic example is Donald Trump.)
Power sucks the mind out of a person. Freedom, as you know, dies to the thunderous applause. Evil is the puppet, but the fool is the marionette.
All because fools can be controlled, manipulated, and inspired to do anything. More than anything, evil loves those who allow it to operate.
By the way, the famous historian Yuval Noah Harari, author of the bestseller “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind”, shares the same view.
History, writes Harari, teaches us that people should not underestimate stupidity. We cannot rely on decent and seemingly good leaders to decide what is best for humanity. We can only hope.
Think about it!
Have a Good Day!
