One of the smartest people to study human stupidity was the Italian economist Carlo Cipolla. His work, The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity, became a landmark piece, packed with lessons that are still not fully understood. It has inspired numerous studies and theories aiming to better grasp human stupidity.
So, let's examine one of these theories, explore the three reasons behind human stupidity, and understand its importance in scientific research.
The Power of Human Stupidity
According to Cipolla, behaviour makes us stupid. Therefore, before we delve into the reasons behind this, we must understand the dangers of acting stupidly. Ignoring the destructive power of human stupidity can have catastrophic consequences for society. So, let's see what Cipolla has to say about this intriguing topic.
Cipolla states, “A stupid creature will harass you for no reason, for no advantage, without any plan or scheme and at the most improbable times and places. You have no rational way of telling if, when, how and why the stupid creature attacks. You are completely at his mercy when confronted with a stupid individual.”
In this excerpt from The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity, Cipolla makes it abundantly clear that human stupidity's power lies in its unpredictability. This means that intelligent people will always be caught off guard by stupid people. Moreover, and worse still, there is no possible defence. Who can set up a solid defence when the attack lacks any logical structure?
In particular, everyone constantly overlooks the inherent destructiveness and harm caused by stupidity. Cipolla believed that this is because people often make the mistake of feeling indifferent or dismissive to stupidity, which keeps our brains from building defences. Dismissing the power of stupidity only makes it stronger.
Furthermore, Cipolla highlighted how stupid people impact society as a whole by saying, "One might think that a stupid person will only harm themselves, but this conflates stupidity with helplessness." To clarify his point, he added, "Stupid people cause losses to others without gaining any benefits themselves, impoverishing society as a whole." This means the effects of human stupidity are widespread and almost unavoidable, and the belief that stupid individuals can only harm themselves is naive. Likewise, there are more viable solutions than ignoring them entirely.
Resisting Human Stupidity
A foolish person's unpredictable, nonsensical actions and movements make defence and counterattack extremely tough.
Cipolla explained the inherent problem in resisting human stupidity and the near impossibility of doing so. Therefore, it's better to try to avoid, or at least minimise, stupid behaviour. Designing a solution that can be implemented in society for the benefit of everyone is highly complex and risky. Therefore, the only thing that can be done to fight is to act individually with reason through reflection and awareness.
In this sense, intriguing research carried out at Eötvös Loránd University led to the proposal of a comparable and persuasive argument. This research emphasises that if we want to avoid experiencing stupidity or becoming its victims, we must all consciously try to avoid it. How? By being aware of its causes. As the research points out, there are only three reasons, each causing a different degree of stupidity:
1. Preoccupation
It leads to the lowest degree of human stupidity. It results in poor concentration, which leads to poor goal commitment. Time is lost, and frustration arises when one doesn't allocate enough resources or pays insufficient attention. Preoccupied individuals don’t invest the right amount of energy and focus while performing relevant tasks. Hence, they act stupidly because they struggle to achieve goals they don't genuinely care about.
2. Lack of Control
This leads to a moderate degree of human stupidity. It’s common among impulsive people. Without self-control, they become victims of events, acting irrationally as a result. Cipolla clearly stated that this is the primary cause of stupidity. Therefore, individuals who lack self-control behave stupidly because they are prone to impulsive, irrational actions.
3. Ignorance and Overconfidence
This leads to the most significant and riskiest level of stupidity. Ignorance and overconfidence lead to risks, as individuals lack the knowledge or skills to manage and handle potentially disastrous outcomes. Cipolla pointed out that everyone, even smart people, must bear the consequences of the problems these people create. Ignorant individuals act stupidly because their actions serve neither society nor themselves.
The Importance of Stupidity in Scientific Research
Science involves confronting our absolute "ignorance," an idea that has existed for a long time and remains equally exciting. On the contrary, it should be reconsidered occasionally, even only for positive stimulation.
The first to formulate this concept in the scientific field was Martin Schwartz, a professor of microbiology and biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia, who published an article on the role of stupidity in scientific research in the Journal of Cell Science in 2008.
Schwartz suggests that not only is it acceptable for a researcher to feel stupid, but it is actually necessary. If you only deal with questions to which you already know the answers, it may make you feel smart, but you won't contribute to significant discoveries.
How Did Schwartz Decide to Write an Article on the Importance of Stupidity in Scientific Research?
Schwartz's inspiration came after meeting an old friend he hadn't seen in years. He says, "We were PhD students at the same time, each studying in a different field of science. She later left college, went to Harvard Law School, and is now a senior attorney at a major environmental organisation. At one point, the conversation turned to why she left graduate school. To my surprise, she said it was because she felt stupid. After several years of feeling stupid daily, she was ready to do something else."
He adds, "I had always seen her as one of the smartest people I knew, and her later career supports this view. The more I thought about what she said, the more it bothered me. It continued to bother me until, one day, I understood. Science makes me feel stupid, too. The difference is that I got used to it. I got so used to it that I miss it and don’t know how to be without that feeling. I thought it had to be this way."
Does Schwartz Suggest That Feeling Stupid Is a Prerequisite for Successful Research?
He explains, "Productive stupidity means being ignorant by choice. Focusing on important questions makes us awkward because we are ignorant. One of the beautiful things about science is that it allows us to be unsure and wrong repeatedly, feeling completely comfortable as long as we learn something each time.
Undoubtedly, this can be tough on students who are used to getting the right answer. Reasonable levels of confidence and emotional resilience help, no doubt. But science education could do more to ease the significant transition from learning what others have discovered to making your own discoveries. The more comfortable we get with stupidity, the deeper we plunge into the unknown, and the greater our chances of making significant discoveries."
Feeling Stupid Isn't Directly Linked to Being Stupid
This idea can be generalised to any field without distorting the core concept. It reflects a very common feeling in scientific laboratories. If you’ve ever felt stupid, you’re not alone. The only stupid question is the one that wasn’t asked. Asking good questions is often more challenging and crucial than providing good answers.
Albert Einstein cleverly said that the formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. Asking new questions, opening up new possibilities, and regarding old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks a real scientific advancement.
The Benefits of Acting Stupid
We often see people acting stupid, even though they aren't as dumb as they appear. They do this to reap the benefits of appearing foolish. Here are some perks of acting stupid:
- No one expects much from you, so even a minimal performance is met with applause and praise.
- You can shield yourself from embarrassment by knowing less than others. You can ask the same question ten times, and people will patiently explain it, knowing you're slow to understand.
- Everything is simplified for your level, giving you the advantage of understanding things simultaneously.
- You can make mistakes and break rules without being identified, though you might still face some consequences.
- You won't be pressured to work fast all the time. You don't have to complete tasks on time and can still be excused.
- You'll get more opportunities to learn than others, as people are willing to help you more, knowing you learn slowly.
- You can ask questions anytime. Either people will politely answer, or they’ll refuse due to your perceived stupidity, and you can enjoy both responses.
Parting Thoughts
Human stupidity, despite its apparent negatives, carries unexpected benefits. It showcases our ability to innovate and think critically, shedding light on aspects of creativity and personal growth. It invites us to question and explore, making stupidity a driving force for significant discoveries. So, let’s embrace stupidity and live through failures as an integral part of our journey towards scientific and personal excellence.
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