In 1976 the Italian economist Carlo Cipolla published a small essay. Originally shared it with his friends, because the book was intended to be a kind of joke.
However, the essay was published and translated into many languages because it tackled serious issues, that actually weren't so funny after all.
While we often think that stupidity is simply a lack of knowledge or intelligence, Cipolla argues that it has fundamental laws and predictable causes that are independent of other characteristics.
He also suggests that human stupidity follows clear mathematical patterns, leading people to make decisions that go against common sense and self-interest.
The harm a stupid person can cause is greatly dependent on the position they hold in society. A stupid president, general, or politician is way more dangerous than an ordinary citizen.
As a basis for his theory, Cipolla divided people into four behavioral groups: (1) the helpless, (2) the intelligent, (3) the bandits, and (4) the stupid.
there are four factors of human behavior: (1) Benefit others, (2) Benefit themselves, (3) Harm others and (4) Harm themselves.
Finally, you can look at the effect of human behavior: it can have (1) Positive or negative on oneself and (2) positive or negative on others.
What can we conclude from this analysis? Intelligent people contribute to society in a positive way and turn these contributions into mutual benefits. When, for instance, I deliver a lecture it is good for both of us, for you and me.
Stupid people on the other hand contribute to a net loss for both themselves and society for no apparent reason. Their actions annoy and frustrate everyone else.
In between are the bandits. They pursue their own interests and enrich themselves even if it means harming society. The helpless are also in between.
Although they make a positive contribution to society, they can easily be exploited due to their naivety, which is why they can only make a limited contribution. This exploitation happens especially through bandits.
This happens all the time, for example by advertising worthless products that are then bought by gullible fools.
The stupid person, however, is the most dangerous type of person. That is the one who harms the other but in the process harms himself too without any rationality. Do I need to come up with a recent example here? You even don't need to guess, what it would be.....
Anyway, so much on the thoughts of Cipolla for today. To clarify his position we need to learn about the five basic Laws of Human Stupidity as formulated by Carlo Cipolla in his essay. A job for next Thursday....
Thank you all again...the floor is yours..
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
28 - Why Am I Here 6 Sept 2024 / 1139
The Discussion
[13:14] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman
[13:14] Max Chatnoir: Thank you, Herman.
[13:15] herman Bergson: This is all a bit introductory to Cipolla's Laws
[13:15] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I could give a good local example right now but i wonder if i want to because its so depressing, any of you heard what happened today here in Sweden?
[13:15] Max Chatnoir: no, what?
[13:15] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes Bejiita
[13:15] herman Bergson: The shooting, ten people
[13:15] herman Bergson: sorry ...lol
[13:15] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): a school shooting in the city of Örebro, 10 dead at least including the murderer
[13:16] Max Chatnoir: OMG, in Sweden??
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its like USA!
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): insane
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:16] Max Chatnoir: Have you ever had a school shooting before?
[13:16] herman Bergson: Sweden had the Brevik incident....
[13:16] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): terrible
[13:17] herman Bergson: That person killed 69 people or so
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): they have happened but i wonder if this is not the largest so far, also criminal gangs blow bombs everywhere
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in my city Västerås its calm still but Stockholm is worse
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Sweden is compared with Syria war nowadays
[13:18] herman Bergson: There you deal with bandits or stupid people
[13:18] herman Bergson: bNDITS
[13:18] herman Bergson: bandits
[13:19] herman Bergson: A current example of stupid behavior is the tarifs issue with Canada and Mexico for instance
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): this is a prime example and they show no respect for others' life, its a miracle not lots of people have been killed, There was however a woman in uppsala last year, even she was inside her apartment she was killed in the blast, innocent and had fled from war and then that happens, like death chaser her
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): very tragic
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): chased
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): things like this
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its crazy
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): here!
[13:20] herman Bergson: A couple of weeks ago we had a bomb explosion too...
[13:20] herman Bergson: Two people and six apartments ruined...
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i wish it would just stop but its a revenge spiral at moment between the gangs
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least my city seems safe for now
[13:22] Max Chatnoir: Do they know anything about the shooter in Sweden?
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): no idea not checked more really cause i just got sad but he shot himself
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): after the killings
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but who he was and why...
[13:23] herman Bergson: Stupid people everywhere
[13:24] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes, but when a stupid man becomes a world leader...
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but it feels sort of like the age of Trump is laying a dark shadow over the entire world causing bad things to happen everywhere now
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its creepy
[13:25] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Like Un..Putin and that orange man
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i dont want at least 4 years of global disaster
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:25] herman Bergson: I must admit.....these days...never a dull moment....
[13:26] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): nobody wants that Bejiita
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:26] herman Bergson: although i regret that the Americans become more or less the laughingstrock of the moment, it seems
[13:27] herman Bergson: Due to absolutely stupid behavior
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): true Herman
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:27] herman Bergson: They don't deserve this
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): 1 man deserves it
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed i feel with all Americans who are not on Trumps side, seen many comments like "we are with u Canada" ect
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): so sure there are many good ones still but the trump cult.
[13:28] PrincePansophic: The curtain has been drawn. The U.S. is much like Emerald city, very few are willing to acknowledge that having an Oz is loss. More concerning still, are those who willingly accept an Oz, believing he is on their side.
[13:28] herman Bergson: As I said, the higher on the social ladder the more dangerous a stupid person becomes
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): wel its a disaster
[13:28] Max Chatnoir: How do the mathematical patterns you mentioned factor into all this, Herman?
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): exactly
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the higher up u are the more damage u can make
[13:29] herman Bergson: We'll save that for Thursday, Max :-))
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: Ah, OK.
[13:29] herman Bergson: But the most interesting math is in the first Law....
[13:30] Max Chatnoir: thermodynamics?
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well i want to boil Trumps head in my new air fryer for sure but i dont want to contaminate the machine
[13:31] herman Bergson: Law 1: Always and inevitably everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals in circulation
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its for my nightsnacks after all
[13:32] Stranger Nightfire: Somewhat I know Once said consider the average guy And then he said understand that that means that It's a mathematical fact that 50% are even stupider than that
[13:32] herman Bergson: This first law prevents us from attributing a specific numerical value to the fraction of stupid people within the total population
[13:33] Max Chatnoir: OK, I am saying nothing about the recent election....
[13:33] herman Bergson: yes..every value would turn out to be an underestimate :-)
[13:33] Stranger Nightfire: It might however be a good humbling exercise to contemplate how often any one of us behaves as a stupid person
[13:34] herman Bergson: Yet that is exactly the matter that worries me the most about the US
[13:34] herman Bergson: Max
[13:34] Stranger Nightfire: I am quite aware of having taken Positions that deeply embarrass me at this point
[13:35] herman Bergson: That is related to the second law, Stranger....
[13:35] herman Bergson: as you will learn next Thursday :-))
[13:35] Max Chatnoir: Well, this is all very intriguing!
[13:35] herman Bergson: But you are quite right
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have some more theories regarding what i took up before but i can go into those next time, enough of depressing things for the moment
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but its BAD
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats for sure
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): stupidity can often be downright dangerous
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): both for yourself and others around u
[13:37] Max Chatnoir: Oh, definitely!
[13:37] herman Bergson: Best time for stupid behavior is when you are totally in love, I think :-)))
[13:38] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ツ
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well THAT is good stupidity
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or what ud cal it
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: Maybe less generally harmful....
[13:38] herman Bergson: Yes, I agree, the behavior will not bethat harmful :-)
[13:38] herman Bergson: just stupid :-)
[13:39] herman Bergson: or maby silly is the better term here
[13:40] herman Bergson: As I said...silly behavior :-))
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): makes me feel good = happy
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): good silly behaviour
[13:41] herman Bergson: So let's dive into the Laws of human stupidity coming Thursday
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): now lets make some stupid moves with the cards
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:41] herman Bergson: Unless you still have that one question......
[13:42] herman Bergson: thank you all again
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: I hope there is some hope to be had from these laws.
[13:42] herman Bergson: hmm.... that's hard to say....because of what stupidity is......
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:43] herman Bergson: I'll see what I can do for you, Max :-))
[13:43] herman Bergson: Class dismissed....
[13:43] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:43] PrincePansophic: Thank you, all.
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i had a good time
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have u all
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:44] PrincePansophic: Just know, I have recently renewed my passport. I may be reaching out to some of you, just sayin'.
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oki
[13:45] herman Bergson: What do you mean, Prince?
[13:45] PrincePansophic: I was born...an American.
[13:45] herman Bergson: ok?
[13:46] PrincePansophic: I may be contacting you to get the eff out of here.
[13:46] herman Bergson: eff?
[13:46] Max Chatnoir: Don't give up yet, Prince.
[13:46] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): what's going on?
[13:47] PrincePansophic: the conversations which I have with people in regards to politics, make my head hurt, so I stopped.
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well its chaos over there but many good people still left, there is still hope i hope
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but well
[13:47] PrincePansophic: oh Yes...
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): all we can do is hope
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that things change
[13:48] Max Chatnoir: Prince I recommend Heather Cox Richardson, if you don't read her already.
[13:48] Max Chatnoir: Letters from an American.
[13:48] PrincePansophic: there are many who do but it's not even a either or choice as it's much as it is a bad or worse one.
[13:48] PrincePansophic: Thank you
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:49] herman Bergson: There is no other option than to face the current situation
[13:50] PrincePansophic: I don't believe this to be specific to the US, but as the world's current leading empire, ripples flow.
[13:50] herman Bergson: True
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:50] PrincePansophic: Correct, prof, that is the best option one can choose.
[13:51] herman Bergson: It doesn't scare me....
[13:51] PrincePansophic: that's good
[13:51] herman Bergson: At the end critical thinking will overcome all of this
[13:51] PrincePansophic: maybe personally
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): still feel hopeful in all this mess so
[13:52] herman Bergson: The bad things and nonsense are most of the time dominating the newsmedia...
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:52] herman Bergson: But you have to look for the othersounds....the book Max mentioned for instance....
[13:52] PrincePansophic: I am not surprised given the history of this nation and the world at large that they would choose the most stupid choice.
[13:52] herman Bergson: or an econimist like Michael sandel....or Pickety...
[13:53] herman Bergson: becoming richer and richer is eventually a end and meaningless
[13:54] PrincePansophic: When people believe that they will benefit, even it if other suffer. They believe they are being bandits. Most often those folks come to find that they have made a stupid choice.
[13:54] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): they learn from this period Prince
[13:54] PrincePansophic: I was told that there was trending choice recently, "how do I take my vote back?"
[13:55] PrincePansophic: I agree with you both.
[13:55] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lot's of these people are regretting their choise
[13:55] PrincePansophic: richer and richer to what extent, indeed.
[13:56] Max Chatnoir: Too late! but remember next time!
[13:56] PrincePansophic: There is always hope.
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): STATUS
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that is what they think their welth gives them + power
[13:56] herman Bergson: is only in two years already that you can correct a lot with voting
[13:56] Max Chatnoir: Yes.
[13:56] PrincePansophic: Gaining the world and losing themselves in the process.
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:57] herman Bergson: That is stupid behavior, Prince
[13:57] PrincePansophic: I like to think I always vote against the worse choice.
[13:57] PrincePansophic: For certain.
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): but is it the right choise then Prince?
[13:58] Max Chatnoir: I have to run. Hope to see you Thursday.
[13:58] PrincePansophic: Take care.
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok Max
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs and cu soon
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:58] herman Bergson: See you, Max :-)
[13:58] PrincePansophic: Oh the right choice, would be to burn most of it down and reconstruct.
[13:58] PrincePansophic: in my humble opinion
[13:58] PrincePansophic: That is unlikely to happen.
[13:59] Lukkie Sands: I got to run too....
[13:59] Lukkie Sands: See you :-)
[13:59] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): See you soon Lukkie
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs Lukkie
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oki an now
[13:59] PrincePansophic: The funny thing was that the insurrectionist four years ago felt something was wrong but they were backing being more stupid...
[13:59] PrincePansophic: again makes my head hurt
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ow
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[14:00] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well
[14:00] PrincePansophic: such is entitlement
[14:00] herman Bergson: Take a rest, Prince
[14:00] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes
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