Throughout history, society has faced the persistent threat of corruption, oppression, and tyranny. Many assume these dangers stem from malevolent individuals acting with intent. In fact, you were probably taught this much in school. However, what you likely weren’t taught in school is how stupidity, either individually or of the masses, may be one of the more significant contributors.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and anti-Nazi dissident, argued that the far greater threat lies not in malice but in stupidity. This, he believed, was not merely a lack of intelligence but a conditioned state in which individuals abandon independent thought in favor of conformity. Stupidity, as he described it, is dangerous because it is resistant to reason and easily manipulated by those in power. It flourishes not in solitude but in collectives, where social pressure discourages questioning and rewards blind acceptance.

Bonhoeffer developed this theory during his time in Nazi Germany, where he observed how an otherwise educated and civilized population could be swept up in a movement of profound irrationality. He recognized that many people who would ordinarily be thoughtful and rational were instead rendered intellectually docile by the psychological and social forces of mass movements. His reflections on stupidity remain profoundly relevant today, as the same patterns of uncritical thinking continue to shape political, social, and cultural landscapes worldwide.

This article will explore Bonhoeffer’s theory in detail, examining its historical and modern manifestations, the threats it poses to both individuals and society and how it can be identified and mitigated. We will also integrate this theory with the Adversity Nexus, Epistemic Rigidity, and Contrastive Inquiry, demonstrating how these frameworks can provide tools for resisting the kind of intellectual passivity that Bonhoeffer warned against.

Bonhoeffer’s Life and the Origins of His Theory

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in 1906 into a highly educated German family. A brilliant theologian, he gained prominence for his work on Christian ethics, discipleship, and the role of the church in social justice. From the very beginning of Hitler’s rise to power, Bonhoeffer was one of the few voices in Germany openly opposing the Nazi regime. He viewed the state’s growing control over religious and moral life as a fundamental threat not just to Christianity but to human dignity itself.

As Hitler consolidated power, Bonhoeffer became actively involved in the German resistance. He worked covertly with the Abwehr (the German military intelligence agency) to undermine the Nazi regime and was implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler. In 1943, he was arrested and imprisoned, eventually being executed in April 1945, just weeks before the war’s end.

It was during his time in prison that Bonhoeffer wrote extensively on the nature of evil and the complicity of ordinary people in systems of oppression. In his letters and reflections, he articulated what he saw as the true danger to society—not simply wickedness, but stupidity. He observed that many Germans, even those who were not inherently evil, were nonetheless enablers of tyranny because they had abandoned the capacity for independent thought. It was not intelligence that determined whether a person would resist or comply; rather, it was their willingness or refusal to engage in critical reflection.

The Nature of Stupidity: More Dangerous Than Malice

Bonhoeffer’s theory posits that stupidity is a collective and social phenomenon, one that flourishes in environments where individuals surrender their intellectual independence in favor of group consensus. Unlike ignorance, which implies a lack of knowledge, stupidity is an active disengagement from reason. It is the condition in which a person ceases to think for themselves, instead adopting prepackaged beliefs without scrutiny. This is precisely why propaganda and astroturfing work so well.

One of Bonhoeffer’s most striking insights is that stupidity is far more dangerous than malice. A malicious person can be confronted, debated, and possibly even reformed through reasoned argument. A stupid person, however, is impervious to logic. Because their beliefs are not the result of independent reasoning but rather the absorption of external narratives, they will reject any evidence or argument that contradicts their worldview.

This form of stupidity is often accompanied by a sense of righteousness. Those afflicted by it do not perceive themselves as irrational but as enlightened, standing in moral or intellectual superiority over those who disagree with them. However, this makes them particularly susceptible to manipulation by those in power, as they will defend and enforce dominant narratives without understanding them. Does this sound familiar to you?

Historical Manifestations of Stupidity

The tragic consequences of mass stupidity can be observed throughout history. In Nazi Germany, Bonhoeffer saw firsthand how an entire nation, including many of its brightest minds, could be swept up in an ideology that defied both morality and reason. The same phenomenon was evident in the Salem Witch Trials, where collective hysteria led to the execution of innocent people based on absurd accusations. The Cultural Revolution in China further exemplifies this pattern, as millions engaged in ideological purges without fully understanding the doctrines they were enforcing.

In each of these cases, rational inquiry was replaced by blind adherence to authority, and questioning the dominant ideology was met with hostility. The individuals involved were not necessarily unintelligent, but they had been socially conditioned to reject critical thought in favor of ideological conformity.

Modern-Day Stupidity and Its Consequences

Today, Bonhoeffer’s warnings remain as urgent as ever. Indeed, stupidity manifests in numerous ways, from the unquestioning adoption of political dogma to the echo chambers of social media, where algorithmic reinforcement discourages intellectual diversity. Individuals are increasingly drawn into ideological possession, embracing rigid worldviews that are immune to contradiction.

In many ways, stupidity is often matched with Epistemic Rigidity. For example, in the digital age, stupidity is not just a function of ignorance but of information overload. With an endless stream of data available, many people avoid deep analysis in favor of simplistic narratives (Einstellung effect). The rise of outrage culture, cancel culture, and political tribalism (Social and cultural factors) are direct symptoms of this intellectual passivity. Instead of engaging in contrastive inquiry—where conflicting perspectives are examined and debated—many individuals retreat into cognitive bubbles, where dissent is treated as heresy (Heuristics and Mental Shortcuts). I could go on, but you probably get the point.

The Role of the Adversity Nexus and Epistemic Rigidity

In many ways, Bonhoeffer’s theory aligns closely with the Adversity Nexus and the theory of Epistemic Rigidity. For example, the Adversity Nexus suggests that intellectual and personal growth stem from adversity. When individuals are too insulated from challenges, they become complacent, and their ability to think critically atrophies. The ease of modern life has, in many ways, made people more susceptible to stupidity because they are not regularly forced to confront difficult truths or question their assumptions.

Epistemic Rigidity further explains why stupidity is self-reinforcing. Once individuals adopt a belief, they become resistant to changing it, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. Biases such as the Einstellung effect and confirmation bias solidify stupidity by ensuring that only reinforcing information is accepted while contradictory evidence is dismissed. Of course, cognitive dissonance (mental discomfort) might explain why the stupid are often so angry about opposing views.

Contrastive Inquiry as a Solution

I believe that to combat stupidity, individuals must actively cultivate intellectual resilience. Contrastive Inquiry is a powerful tool for achieving this, as it forces individuals to examine opposing viewpoints and interrogate the weaknesses in their own beliefs. By systematically questioning assumptions, engaging in Socratic dialogue, and exposing oneself to diverse perspectives, one can resist the pull of ideological conformity. However, usually, only a truly smart person is willing to engage.

More broadly, societies must encourage environments that foster intellectual independence rather than penalizing dissent. However, I believe that this effort begins with education. I think education systems should prioritize critical thinking over rote memorization, and public discourse should reward nuance rather than simplistic binaries. It’s a lot to wish for, but it would definitely help turn this ship around.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, Bonhoeffer’s theory of stupidity remains one of the most profound warnings for modern civilization. From a leadership standpoint, his theory reminds us that the greatest threat to freedom is not always the scheming tyrant but the complacent followers that enable him (Mass Epistemic Rigidity). Understand that stupidity is not a matter of intelligence but of intellectual surrender. If you want to resist it and prevent yourself from being stupid, we must embrace challenge, reject ideological rigidity, and engage in continuous contrastive inquiry. Only through these efforts can we preserve both individual autonomy and the integrity of our society as a whole.