I often ask myself this question. I am really curious. Perhaps the better question is, “Why do people do stupid things?”
There is one answer that comes immediately to mind: People do stupid things because they are stupid! Not only does this seem obvious, but it is also very satisfying to call someone stupid when they disagree with me. After all, what other possible reason could anyone have to disagree with me????
However, no matter how satisfying it may be to write off my detractors as being stupid, even if it is true, it does not explain the bigger picture. Most people who do stupid things are not stupid (even when they disagree with me). They are often very smart at many things.
Although I have not done a scientific study on this, I have not obtained a Phd on the subject, nor have a read of scientific study by someone else with a PHD, I think it is fair to say that smart people do stupid things just as much as not-so-smart people. If anything smart people do stupid things more often.
Why?
You would think that having a higher intellect would protect smart people somewhat?
There are many types of “intelligence”.
The somewhat new theory of Multiple Intelligence breaks down the classical view of intelligence into 9 classes: Naturalistic, Musical, Logical-Mathematical, Existential, Interpersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Linguistic, Intra-Personal, and Spatial — see https://examinedexistence.com/the-nine-different-types-of-intelligence/. Some may not be very good at math but they may be very good at one or more of the other 8, and to limit the measure of intelligence to math is unfair, inaccurate, and detrimental to the understanding of human existence.
I have always found this to be very interesting, and I believe it is true. But in my opinion there is another simpler way of classifying intelligence: Intellectual, Emotional, and Wisdom.
In regards to Intellectual, I will go ahead and concede that the above 9 types of intelligence can and should be included. This type of intelligence is the measure of how we accomplish the day to day tasks in our lives, and how we respond to things that happen to us.
Emotional intelligence deals with our ability to manage our emotions and the emotions of others. It is broken down into 3 parts: 1. emotional awareness or empathy, 2. the ability to use your emotions productively, and 3. the ability to manage emotions — yours and others — in other words maturity and leadership.
A lot of studies over the years (perhaps centuries) have been done on intellectual and emotional intelligence even if not always in those words. But the ancients and venerated study of Wisdom seems to have been abandoned. Who needs Wisdom when you can do some or all those 9 wonderful things described under Multiple Intelligence? Our education system and society is entirely focused on getting you to pursue those sorts of intelligence. When things don’t quite work out emotional intelligence is examined as a possible cure. Wisdom? Who needs it!
Wisdom has been defined in many ways: “The quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.” (dictionary.com). Wikipedia suggests that Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. I suppose another way of trying to understand something is to look at its opposite: Foolishness. Wisdom is the ability to discern between what is Wise and what is Foolish.
I never really liked the 20th Century. Everything seemed to move too fast in some ways, and too slow in others. Flight and train schedules seemed to determine everything, thinking about why you are going somewhere not so important. However, the 21st Century has left me even more profoundly disappointed. The 21st Century has become the Century of Foolishness. People around the globe are encouraged to study, work hard, focus on this or that, become GREAT at something, push hard, dream big, think positive, don’t give up, move ahead, etc. etc. etc.
That does not leave a lot of time for thoughts like:
- Why am I here?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is really important?
- What is the difference between happiness and satisfaction?
- What does it mean to be ethical and why should I care?
- What is the difference between right and wrong?
I could go on.
But I won’t. People don’t care about any of those things. Why bother when you dream of driving a new car, or living in a new house, or getting a new phone, etc. None of those question are going to help you get any of that!
So instead we learn how to build better devices and to sell them to others in interesting and alluring ways all without thinking about why we are doing anything. That is stupid if you ask me.
So why do smart people do stupid things? They may be the best doctors, lawyers, athletes, engineers, entertainers, businessmen, etc., and they may have empathy and maturity by the bucket load, but they have no Wisdom. They are Fools.
Where can you find Wisdom? Its all around you, but you have to stop what you are doing long enough to see. The ancient world was full of Wisdom (and I suppose also full of Foolishness). Most religions and philosophies focus a great deal on teaching Wisdom instead of how to build houses, bows and arrows, spears, and chariots, or how to succeed in business or conquest. Put down the tools of your trade, and find time to pick up a book. I believe the Bible is full of useful information about how to be Wise. The guys who wrote the Bible may not be very helpful when it comes to fixing your car, or getting your laptop working, but they knew a lot about people. And without radio, TV, or Internet they had a lot of time to think about things. I personally find the teachings of the ancient and modern Stoics to be very helpful.
Ultimately if you want to be Wise you are going to have to think a great deal about Wisdom and Foolishness. That is what Wisdom is all about; knowing the difference.
I suppose the real secret to being Wise is this: You have to want to be Wise.