Many commentators make reference to “smart” people. A “smart” person is one who has a superior grasp of a subject, and it usually incorporates some form of academic discipline. A polymath person is smart in multiple subjects.
What people seem to overlook in their sycophantic reverence for smart people is the quality of those said people. The word “smart” in the context of this piece is an adjective describing an advanced personal mental capability. What are poorly understood, or possibly even ignored are the moral qualities attached to that “smart” person’s behavior.
Do we really want to revere and bow down to “smart” people who happen also to be tyrants, murderers, liars, cheats, megalomaniacs, ruthless, selfish, greedy, mean, harsh, violent, foul mouthed, irreverent, filled with hubris etc.? Or, would we prefer those who are loving, kind, gentle, patient, generous, and without deceit? What do you think of when you think of a “smart” person?
Pensiamento Peligroso
aceloewgold
georgeclilly
pensiamentopeligroso
“Beth: Dad? I feel like I’ve spent my life pretending you’re a great guy and trying to be like you. And the ugly truth has always been- –
Rick: That I’m not that great a guy and you’re exactly like me.
Beth: Am I evil?
Rick: Worse. You’re smart. When you know nothing matters, the universe is yours. And I’ve never met a universe that was into it. The universe is basically an animal. It grazes on the ordinary. It creates infinite idiots just to eat them, not unlike your friend Timmy.
Beth: Tommy
Rick: Yeah, hardly matters now, sweetie. You know, smart people get a chance to climb on top and take reality for a ride, but it’ll never stop trying to throw you, and eventually it will. There’s no other way off.
Beth: Dad, I’m not out of excuses to not be who I am. So who am I? What do I do?
Rick: My advice, take off. Put a saddle on your universe, let it kick itself out.”
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This is somewhere between esoteric and nonsense. State your point clearly, and then it can be readily answered.
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“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
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Thank you for your considered response! Stupidity is “dangerous”, and there is no law against it – sadly. Evil can be exposed, and it is a Biblical mandate, but there are few willing to do it because of the negative ramifications by the establishment which is all cued up to shame and humiliate anyone who speaks out! Yes, as the saying goes; “My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with the facts.” Proverbs 26:5 – 9 deals with fools quite effectively!
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