“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
I don't agree that people denying facts that disprove the climate scam are stupid. A great deal of how we come to believe things is psychological. Those not familiar with epistemology (theory of knowledge) can tend to rationalise away information that diverts from their world view. They will think the information must be mistaken and/or dismiss it because those providing this 'new' information have been labelled as cranks. Often it takes a fair bit of reflection to take on board even the most obvious fact - like the fact there are tree stumps under glaciers in Europe, proving it was hotter in the recent past. The danger is not so much stupidity but a naivety (that people in authority won't lie about this material) combined with social-psychological vices.
[Posted at the
SpookyWeather2 blog, October 25, 2022.]
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