Thank you for posting that quote. I'd never thought about stupidity from that perspective, but I - and indeed, nearly all if not all Americans - have been privileged enough to never have viewed the world through they eyes of a Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer shines a different light on Hanlon's Razor (i.e., "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"). I think of merit's demise and "diversity"'s ascendance. I think of the vast army of low-level KGB thugs/informers and the retail distribution of terror.
"Upon closer observation, it becomes apparent that every strong upsurge of power in the public sphere, be it of a political or a religious nature, infects a large part of humankind with stupidity. … The power of the one needs the stupidity of the other. 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 to the fact that he is not independent. In conversation with him, one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with him as a person, but with slogans, catchwords, and the like that have taken possession of him. He is under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in his very being. Having thus become a mindless tool, the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil. This is where the danger of diabolical misuse lurks, for it is this that can once and for all destroy human beings."
Bonhoeffer: "In conversation with him, one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with him as a person, but with slogans, catchwords, and the like that have taken possession of him. He is under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in his very being. Having thus become a mindless tool, the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil."
The Dr Jill Biden case offers a present-day example of this. Immediately, in hundreds of media pieces and thousands of social media poss, it was assumed that Epstein's critique was about gender.
That is part of the conceptual framework that the Progs have in place, and it snaps into place instantly and without the need for any actual *thought*.
As I enter my 80th year, I can assure you, each, one and all, that this note and accompanying comments are true and absolute truth. In short, "stupidity" as noted, has been the bane of my life.
Now for the bad news: I haven't a clue as to how to combat stupidity. Short of death, doom and disaster, I haven't a clue. And yes, it does seem to be on the increase.
Final thought. I am encouraged that, when someone's butt is on the barbed-wire fence, it is amazing how bright they can become. There is that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting that quote. I'd never thought about stupidity from that perspective, but I - and indeed, nearly all if not all Americans - have been privileged enough to never have viewed the world through they eyes of a Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer shines a different light on Hanlon's Razor (i.e., "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"). I think of merit's demise and "diversity"'s ascendance. I think of the vast army of low-level KGB thugs/informers and the retail distribution of terror.
More from Bonhoeffer on stupidity:
ReplyDelete"Upon closer observation, it becomes apparent that every strong upsurge of power in the public sphere, be it of a political or a religious nature, infects a large part of humankind with stupidity. … The power of the one needs the stupidity of the other. 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 to the fact that he is not independent. In conversation with him, one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with him as a person, but with slogans, catchwords, and the like that have taken possession of him. He is under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in his very being. Having thus become a mindless tool, the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil. This is where the danger of diabolical misuse lurks, for it is this that can once and for all destroy human beings."
I just bought that book. Thanks
ReplyDeleteA good friend that has taught for decades in the Public Schools, "We can fix ignorant, there is NO cure for STUPID"
ReplyDeleteThe STUPID is STRONG in so mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnny people.
ReplyDeleteBonhoeffer: "In conversation with him, one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with him as a person, but with slogans, catchwords, and the like that have taken possession of him. He is under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in his very being. Having thus become a mindless tool, the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil."
ReplyDeleteThe Dr Jill Biden case offers a present-day example of this. Immediately, in hundreds of media pieces and thousands of social media poss, it was assumed that Epstein's critique was about gender.
That is part of the conceptual framework that the Progs have in place, and it snaps into place instantly and without the need for any actual *thought*.
As I enter my 80th year, I can assure you, each, one and all, that this note and accompanying comments are true and absolute truth. In short, "stupidity" as noted, has been the bane of my life.
ReplyDeleteNow for the bad news: I haven't a clue as to how to combat stupidity. Short of death, doom and disaster, I haven't a clue. And yes, it does seem to be on the increase.
Final thought. I am encouraged that, when someone's butt is on the barbed-wire fence, it is amazing how bright they can become. There is that.