Stupidity Is Not a Sin: Why Intelligence and Morality Are Not the Same

In popular culture, everyday conversation, and even political discourse, one notion is consistently reinforced: the idea that being stupid is bad — not just unfortunate, but morally wrong. We mock people who misunderstand science, struggle with language, or fall for obvious scams. We call them names, make memes, and label them the problem. “Idiot,” “moron,” “dumb,” “brain-dead” — these insults aren’t just intellectual critiques. They’re moral condemnations. We’re not just saying someone lacks intelligence; we’re saying they’re lesser, dangerous, or wrong.