Think About This – Stupidity
By Diogenes Vindex

There is no other single propensity of Mankind that has caused more misery, malcontentment, and mayhem. The very first record of Mankind could easily be construed as a textbook example of stupidity. Although this affliction has caused most, if not all of the problems throughout recorded history, there have been a scant few books or papers regarding it. Moreover, the subject is hardly ever seriously addressed. I for one, consider this fact impressive and exceptionally curious given the residue of its wake, which spans the millennia.

With the coming of the modern age along with a civilized {so-called} and highly populated World, it follows that the number of stupid people would increase. However, it seems the number has been steadily climbing at an alarming rate. What effect will this have on us? Is this salutatory progression a direct result of Modern Civilization? Could it be a portent of catastrophe? These facts and questions have compelled me to put my pen to paper, or in this case, finger to keyboard.

What is stupidity?

Prior to a precise defining, there must first be a standard established for its antonym, intelligence; a foundation from which to depart from.

When intelligence is present, is there a fundamental quality that invariably shows itself? If yes, is the reverse true when this quality is absent? Is the earmark of stupidity repetitious failure or inevitable disapproval?

In the event that the answer to each of these questions is yes, we would have a theoretical indicator as well as a working hypothesis for definition, for both intelligence and stupidity. Unfortunately, in this imperfect World, these appellations are more difficult to define than to discern.

Actually, there are certain indicators that consistently (barring the ever occurring exception to the rule) pinpoint stupidity in Human Beings.

1. The inability (not unwillingness) to accept reality.

2. When one consistently attempts something, and makes the same mistake over and over again.

3. When one submits to another or a group that they view as intelligent, with the express purpose and desire for instruction on how to think, what to think, and even when.

This third indicator vivifies my previous question: What is intelligence? And so, what is intelligence?

Is it the thought processing of any person who is able to occasionally recognize truth? Is it a commodity that may be learned at any reputable learning institute? If so, can a person be taught by another to recognize truth? At this point, I have the distinct feeling I am digressing from the meat of this article, and venturing into philosophical waters.

If I were to ask twelve separate people the definition of intelligence, I might end up with a dozen various responses. Then again, there is the frightening prospect that they would all answer the same or similarly.

The astute German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, observed, “Intellect is invisible to the man who has none.” I cannot in all good conscience concur with Schopenhauer. Although I will offer up the incontrovertible fact that before a person may dismiss another as stupid (devoid of intelligence), that person must first know intelligence. In any other circumstance, the accuser would be placing themselves soundly into the murky waters of their own accusation.

We should not overlook the significant difference between a person acting stupidly and a stupid person. Therefore, we must be cognizant to the fact that everyone is stupid sometimes and some of us are occasionally intelligent. Unfortunately, there are many people who are always stupid; chronically stupid.

And so, we are left with two seemingly inseparable halves of an indeterminate whole; Intelligence and Stupidity. Neither may exist without the other. However, stupidity requires its counterpart to display its own lack of luminosity; whereas intelligence asserts the presence of its glowing coruscae without any assistance from its deficient kin.

Intelligence, genuine intelligence may be considered the ability to recognize truth. Stupidity would then be the inability to recognize or the result of misrecognition.

When this line of reasoning is applied to people of both persuasions on a broad scale, we find the following consistencies: Stupid people require someone to lean on, to follow or be led by. They need someone that will tell them how to utilize their mind, what to incorporate and when. The sole consolation for such people is that they are never alone. Since they never make decisions or proceed on their own volition, there is always someone from whom the idea or decision came from, hence, there is always someone else to blame for their own deficiencies.

Intelligent people are capable of self-reliance, they are therefore self-confident. Never requiring anyone as a crutch or guide; and so, are adept at mental processing and in turn chose the necessary pools of collected knowledge to assist them in their endeavor. Although not infallible, intelligent people make decisions on their own, and accept the results, good or bad, on their own.

Albert Einstein once said, “three great forces rule the World: stupidity, fear and greed.” Could he have precisely described Mankind in a mere ten words? Are stupidity, fear and greed fundamentally the same beast? Could they be inimical cousins to innocence and ingenuousness? Or are they evolutionary anomalies of them?

I believe this perplexing, and I might add enduring conundrum will plague deep thinkers, till the crack of doom. Furthermore, as adventurous minds will always offer their two cents’ on this matter, so shall I.

I do not consider the question such a difficult one; although it may tend to be paradoxical.

Genuine intelligence plainly defined is a singularly specific knowledge of truth, or the capability to recognize truth. Stupidity plainly defined is being incapable of recognizing a singularly specific truth. As none of us can recognize truth in every circumstance, there is a distinct difference (and at the same time, undeniable correlation) between ignorance and stupidity; the ignorant have the capability to learn recognition, the stupid invariably are incapable. Perhaps Schopenhauer is correct, after all! Perhaps Mankind is not plagued by stupidity, but by an erroneous definition of intelligence.

At this point, I must rein in my postulatory eagerness or this brief article will evolve into a lengthy monograph.

Since we are not all labeled at birth as stupid or intelligent; if a person is able to raise themselves from the fog of ignorance, they have proved themselves genuinely intelligent, or at least with the capacity for it. If not, if they continue to make the same mistakes over and again, never gaining any ground. They are stupid.

I do not view the affliction of stupidity to be hopeless or permanent; I see it more as a precipice. Maybe stupidity is a form of pernicious ignorance, which must be dealt with on an individual basis if it is to be corrected. Or maybe I’m just an eternal optimist.

If there is a remedy or preventative, then it is education. Furthermore, the ultimate attainment of such an education must be Truth, as it is the sole determinant of genuine intelligence. Lamentably, ironically, there is also nothing more elusive or apparently enshrouded.

Perhaps if we all stop seeking others to show us truth, and how to recognize it; if we stop looking to someone else to think for us, act for us, decide for us, we will cast off the bondage of stupidity. More than this, if we all concentrate on what is real around us, we may begin to at least recognize what is unreal, untruth; in which case even the chronically stupid may have a chance to individually change their circumstance.

The essence of this article may appear to be nothing more than a series of questions, one after the other. Or, on the other hand, it may be accomplishing the goal of its title. In any event, my intention is not to point fingers, but to enkindle minds.

I will close with a continued, though partially satisfied curiosity.

What would the World be like, if we were all genuinely intelligent?

Since we know the answer to the natural companion question to this one, I see no reason to pose it.

Take the Poll on Stupidity:
http://apollonstupidity.blogspot.com/2010/07/poll-on-stupidity.html

Diogenes Vindex, a self-proclaimed objective historian. His currently available works may be found at Amazon.com, The Umbrage Press – http://theumbrage.com/DerivationIncognitaHome.html and other book sellers across the country. Please visit to give your opinion, as well as your critique.

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