Get Free Shipping on orders over $79
Stupid Idiots : A Philosophy of Stupidity and Complete and Utter Downright Idiocy - Lars Svendsen

Stupid Idiots

A Philosophy of Stupidity and Complete and Utter Downright Idiocy

By: Lars Svendsen, Matt Bagguley (Translator)

Paperback | 1 March 2026

At a Glance

Paperback


$34.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $8.69 with

 or 

Ships in 15 to 25 business days

This witty yet thoughtful book examines stupidity and idiocy, and their most dangerous incarnation: stupid idiocy – the unthinking embrace of flawed thinking.

While philosophers chase wisdom, this book takes a humbler route, asking instead how we might think just a little less badly. Drawing sharp distinctions between not thinking and thinking poorly, and doubling down on bad thought, it reveals how deeply these failings are tied to our mental habits. With clarity and humour, it considers how stupidity shapes everyday life and public discourse. Within its pages is a chapter on politics and a pointed critique of Donald Trump, 'stupid idiot supreme'. This is an accessible philosophical guide for anyone who wants to better understand – and perhaps reduce - their own foolishness.

About the Author

Lars Svendsen is professor of philosophy at the University of Bergen, Norway. He has written fifteen books, including A Philosophy of Fear, A Philosophy of Loneliness, A Philosophy of Lying, and A Philosophy of Hope, all also published by Reaktion Books.

Matt Bagguley is a translator of Norwegian fiction and nonfiction. He lives in Oslo.

More in Philosophy

First Knowledges Politics : Philosophical Ordering by Country - Morgan James Brigg
Liberal Fascisms : Zizek's Essays - Slavoj Zizek
In Praise of Shadows and Other Essays - Junichiro Tanizaki
How Lucky Am I : A Skeleton's Guide to Living Your Best Life - Christian Watson
Traversal - Maria Popova

Hardcover

RRP $65.00

$48.99

25%
OFF
The Tonality of Thought - Byung-Chul Han

RRP $26.95

$22.99

15%
OFF
On the Shortness of Life : The Stoic Classic - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

RRP $24.95

$21.75

13%
OFF
Centrists of the World Unite! : The Lost Genius of Liberalism - Adrian Wooldridge
Joyful, Anyway : Finding Delight in Impossible Times - Kate Bowler
Ikigai : The Japanese secret to a long and happy life - Héctor García
Start With Why : How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action - Simon Sinek
The Golden Road : How Ancient India Transformed the World - William Dalrymple
The Denial of Death - Ernest Becker

RRP $26.99

$22.99

15%
OFF
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind : 50th Anniversary Edition - Shunryu Suzuki
The Prophet : Penguin Classics Hardcover - Kahlil Gibran

RRP $32.99

$26.99

18%
OFF
Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor E Frankl

RRP $16.99

$14.75

13%
OFF
Ikigai : The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life - Hector Garcia
The Book of Coffee : A philosophy - Julian Baggini

RRP $32.99

$26.99

18%
OFF