Beyond Foolish: The Quest for the Scientific Measurement and Prevention of Human Stupidity

There is a lot of stupid research out there. And many stupid questions remain. This book surveys, then builds upon the work of Cipolla, Dunning, Kruger, Peter, Murphy, and other luminous minds to explore the fascinating behaviors of Stupidity, Idiocy and Foolishness...and in doing so discovers the dangerous Villains who would make fools of us all, and a tenuous hope for our own Heroism. Would such heroism be brave ... or stupid?

The easy and fun way in which this book simplifies mathematically challenging concepts lets you explore the latest advances of qualitative reasoning and computer science to see those seeds of common sense currently being planted in artificial intelligence, and glimpse an end to stupidity. Don't merely marvel at morons: easy-to-use detection systems are included in these pages to accurately measure the stupidity surrounding yourself at home and work - and prepare you to not only predict this dangerous phenomenon, but prevent it as well!

CONTENTS:

Introduction: the Village Idiot

Mathematically Defining, Scientifically Observing and Methodologically Analyzing Idiocy, Stupidity and Foolishness

Definitions and Observational Methodology

Axiomatic Definition of Stupidity

FIGURE 1: HUMAN STUPIDITY

Axiomatic Definition of Idiocy

FIGURE 2: HUMAN IDIOCY

FIGURE 3: MORONIC FOOLISHNESS

Axiomatic Definition of a Moron or Fool

Making Fools out of Intelligent People

Quantifying Measurements of Stupidity, Idiocy and Foolishness

Quantifying Stupidity, Idiocy and Foolishness

Relative Measurements and Objectivity

Why Objectivity is a Cause for Intelligence, Implications

Measurement of Ignorance is Always Subjective

Systemic Measurements

Stupid Assumptions

Idiotic and Foolish Assumptions

Foolproofing: the Game of Idiots

Applications of Game Theory

Logical Fallacy of the Premise of Free Choice

Foolishness is Sometimes Unavoidable and Maliciously Inflicted

Methods of Inducing Stupidity

Intelligence is Also Sometimes Unavoidable and May Be Bestowed

The Game of Idiots: Foolproofing

Fallacy that "A Fool and His Money are Soon Parted" : Fools are Not Nor Do They Become Resource-Poor

Relevance of Overplacement and Overestimation Bias to the Cause and Nature of Stupidity

Bias of Overplacement and Overestimation: the Dunning-Kruger Effect

Bias is Inevitable Due to the Way Competence is Obtained

A Measure of Competence: toward Quantitative Reasoning and Common Sense through Metacognition

Murphy's Law and the Persistence of Fools

The Peter Principle and the Logic of Despair

Qualitative Reasoning as a Consequence of Metacognition

Magnitude of the Dunning-Kruger effect is variable

Fallacy of Quantitative Reasoning

Qualitative Reasoning, or "Common Sense"

Hanlon's Razor

Quality Control

Glimpses of Evil

Villainy

FIGURE 4: INCREASING COSTS OF VILLAINY OVER TIME

Axiomatic Definition of Villainy

The Intelligent Villain

Functional Sickness

Why "Do No Harm?"

Progression and Regression of Villainy

Losing and Gaining Trust

Preventing Attacks of Villains and Bandits Disguised as Fools

Weaponized Incompetence

Sabotage

Hate Crimes versus Terrorism: True Villainy

Heroes: Brave, or Stupid?

Conclusion - The Fool's Journey: Ending Human Stupidity

Designing Defensive Systems Against Stupidity and Villainy

A New Management System

Profound Knowledge

The Limit of Foolishness

Suggested

Further Reading and Bibliography