In Jon Henschen's article, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer Speaks to Woke Society Today," he references one of the most well known letters written by Bonhoeffer, concluding that the root of the Nazi problem was not malice, but stupidity.
MINNEAPOLIS, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Featured May 25, 2022 on Americanthinker.com, independent broker dealer recruiter Jon Henschen's "Dietrich Bonhoeffer Speaks to Woke Society Today" references one of the most well known letters written by Bonhoeffer during his time in a Nazi concentration camp, concluding that the root of the Nazi problem was not malice, but stupidity. It was during his time at Tegel Prison that Bonhoeffer wrote numerous letters and papers, with his letter on stupidity being one of his most impactful.
Bonhoeffer concluded that the root of the problem was not malice, but stupidity. "Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice, because while one may protest against evil, and it can be exposed and prevented by the use of force, against stupidity we are defenseless." Henschen goes on, "Any facts presented to a stupid person that contradict their prejudgment, simply are not to be believed and even if the evidence is irrefutable, they are pushed aside as inconsequential or incidental. The stupid person is self-satisfied and, if irritated by counterarguments, becomes dangerous by going on the attack."
Henschen also notes that "The people who live in solitude manifest this defect less frequently than individuals in groups. It would seem that stupidity is perhaps less a psychological than a sociological problem. Under rising power like what we saw in 1940's Germany, humans are deprived of their inner independence and, more or less consciously, give up an autonomous position. In conversations with a stupid person, one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with him as a person, but with slogans, catchwords, and the like that have taken possession of him."
He cites how Biblical Scripture states that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, declares that internal liberation of human beings to live the responsible life before God is the only genuine way to overcome stupidity. Countering this stupidity will depend on whether those in power expect more from people's ignorance than from their inner independence and wisdom.
Jon Henschen is founder of http://www.henschenassoc.com, an independent recruiting firm focused on independent broker dealers and RIAs based in Marine on St. Croix, MN. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Jon is a staunch advocate for independent financial advisors, and is widely sought after by both advisors, broker dealers and RIAs for his expertise and insight on industry topics. He is frequently published and quoted in a variety of industry sources, including Wealth Management, ThinkAdvisor, Investment Advisor Magazine, Wealth Management Magazine, Financial Advisor IQ, Financial Advisor Magazine, Investment News and others.
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Cristi Barkley, Henschen & Associates, 7578464107, [email protected]
SOURCE Jon Henschen
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