“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 the 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.“ —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer was pointing out that you can't prevent or cure stupidity. As Hillary Clinton learned ("basket of deplorables") it's dangerous to bring up the matter. Half the population is below average in its use of reason in the decision-making process. If you bring this up, you'll be labeled an elitist. Stupidity is almost impossible to discuss in public.
Cognitive science might be telling us that even people who reason well make their complicated decisions based on emotion, not much influenced by rational thought. (I'm still trying to find out what cognitive science is doing.)
There is no humane way to convince stupid people of anything. They don't grasp or care about their own self interest. Or they define self-interest as doing something that feels good at the moment. They smoke cigarettes or vote for Donald Trump. Then they suffer the consequences.
“Life is hard. It’s even harder if you’re stupid.” --John Wayne
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