Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity. Bonhoeffer observed that the widespread compliance with the atrocities of the Nazi state was not solely a matter of evil intent but was also deeply rooted in a kind of moral and intellectual passivity a collective inability or unwillingness to engage in critical, independent thought. His theory challenges the simplistic notion that evil arises only from malicious intent, positing instead that a failure to think and question can be equally dangerous.
Defining Stupidity: More Than Mere Ignorance
A central element of Bonhoeffer’s argument is the distinction between ignorance and stupidity. While ignorance implies a lack of knowledge that can potentially be remedied by education and exposure to facts, stupidity is a more insidious condition. It represents an active resistance to reasoning and a willful neglect of moral responsibility.
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Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity: A Critical Reflection on Its Relevance Today
Bonhoeffer’s Context and the Origins of His TheoryI Hak (The True Reality)
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