looking at Bonhoeffer’s view of stupidity with Will Rogers mind
Even though I have decided to take RJsCorner in a different direction, I don’t want to leave the “Understanding Stupidity” series without a personal wrap up. The major point I have learned from this series is that mankind has been plagued with stupidity from its very start. Aristotle had things to say about stupidity in his time, and of course, with the way the world … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #9 – A Personal Wrap Up.
For this post, I am going to step back a little and look as someone besides Bonhoeffer for wisdom. This comes from an Italian economist Carlo Cipolla who was a leading expert in the field of human stupidity. He wrote his thoughts in a “tongue in cheek” Will Rogers style. To conserve space, I will only cover three of his laws here. 1. Distraction This … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #8 – The Three Primary Causes
The process at work here is not that particular human capacities, for instance, the intellect, suddenly atrophy or fail. Instead, it seems that under the overwhelming impact of rising power, humans are deprived of their inner independence, and, more or less consciously, give up establishing an autonomous position toward the emerging circumstances. The fact that the stupid person is often stubborn must not blind us … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #7. -Dealing With Slogans, Not A Person
This is a continuation of my series following Dietrich Bonhoeffer words about his belief that stupidity caused the Nazi era in Germany. I am trying to learn if his experiences mirror what is happening today in the U.S. Up to now, we have learned that you can’t defeat stupidity by reasoning with the person. The only way to make him realize his misguided faith is … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #6 – Stupidity Of Following The Herd
Yet at this very point it becomes quite clear that only an act of liberation, not instruction, can overcome stupidity. Here we must come to terms with the fact that in most cases a genuine internal liberation becomes possible only when external liberation has preceded it. Until then we must abandon all attempts to convince the stupid person. This state of affairs explains why in … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #5 – Overcoming Stupidity
“ People become stupid when they do not want to understand, where understanding would cause anxiety or guilt feeling, or would endanger an existing neurotic equilibrium. Deitrich Bonhoeffer This is a short quote from Bonhoeffer, but it speaks volumes about stupidity. I like the term Neurotic Equilibrium, it is a shortened way of saying they resist change, any change. I am just one to welcome and even seek … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #4 -Neurotic Equilibrium
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 … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #3 – How To Get The Better Of It.
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 … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #2 – Stupidity Is A More Dangerous Enemy…
As promised on my December 23rd post, this is the first in a series about Stupidity. It might seem strange to make this topic for a weekly series, but stupidity has serious connotations for our times, as it did during Bonhoeffer’s time in Hitler’s Germany. I came across Bonhoeffer about twenty years ago when I was doing an objective study of the Bible. At the … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity #1 – The Origins Of This Study
In the new RJsCorner, I want to get back to my roots, and Will Rogers is one of those roots I have avoided for too long. Years ago, when I started creating my personal style of writing, Will Rogers was a primary inspiration. I loved the way he could use humor to inform us on just about any topic. Some say that Mark Twain was … Continue reading Understanding Stupidity – Will Roger’s Style…
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