Book Review: The Psychology of Stupidity
Why do smart people sometimes make foolish decisions? Why do bad ideas spread so easily, even in the age of information? The Psychology of Stupidity, edited by Jean‑François Marmion and translated by Liesl Schillinger, dives into these fascinating questions. This 2020 Penguin publication is a collection of essays and interviews from leading psychologists, philosophers, and social scientists—including Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman and behavioral economist Dan Ariely—who explore the many faces of human foolishness.
The book’s central theme is simple yet profound: stupidity is not a lack of intelligence, but a recurring human behavior. Throughout its pages, the contributors examine why people ignore evidence, believe false information, and make irrational choices. They reveal that our brains are prone to shortcuts and biases—like overconfidence, confirmation bias, and emotional reasoning—which can easily lead us astray.
Another major focus of the book is the social dimension of stupidity. Several essays show how collective behavior can amplify foolishness. Crowds, peer pressure, and especially social media create echo chambers where bad ideas flourish. Even highly intelligent people can get trapped in these environments, making decisions driven by ego, fear, or the need to belong, rather than logic.
The authors also explore modern examples of how stupidity shapes society: the viral spread of misinformation, the polarizing effect of online debates, and the challenges of thinking critically in an age of information overload. By highlighting these patterns, the book encourages readers to practice humility and self‑awareness—recognizing that we are all vulnerable to mental traps.
What makes this book engaging is its blend of humor and insight. It does not lecture or shame the reader, but rather invites reflection on our own habits and decisions. By the final pages, you’ll likely see stupidity not just as “someone else’s problem,” but as a universal human tendency—and understanding it is the first step to avoiding it.