“One has to Source belong to the intelligentsia to believe things like that: no ordinary man could be such a fool.”
This sharp observation highlights a fascinating paradox. George Orwell – Biographical How can highly educated individuals sometimes embrace ideas that seem utterly absurd to the average person? The quote suggests a peculiar vulnerability that comes with intellectualism. It implies that certain beliefs are so convoluted or detached from reality that they require a sophisticated mind to even entertain, let alone accept. This concept explores the tension between complex theoretical knowledge and simple, grounded common sense.
It reveals a world where intelligence doesn’t always guard against folly. George Orwell – Biography and Works In fact, it can sometimes be a prerequisite for it. This article unpacks the origin of this powerful statement. We will also explore its variations and examine why intellectual sophistication can occasionally lead to profound foolishness.
The Origin: George Orwell’s Notes on Nationalism
The famous line comes from the brilliant mind of George Orwell. Source He first wrote it in his 1945 essay, “Notes on Nationalism.” . In this piece, Orwell was not critiquing patriotism. Instead, he analyzed the dangerous tendency to identify with a single nation or group, placing it beyond good and evil. He argued that this mindset corrupts rational thought.
Orwell provided a stark example to make his point. He described a bizarre conspiracy theory circulating among certain intellectual circles during World War II. This theory claimed that American forces were not in Europe to fight the Germans. Instead, believers thought the Americans were there to crush an imminent English revolution. To Orwell, this idea was patently ridiculous. An ordinary person, grounded in everyday reality, would dismiss it instantly. However, for some intellectuals whose judgment was clouded by their political biases, the theory was plausible. This context prompted his timeless observation about the unique follies of the intelligentsia.
Echoes of the Idea: Other Thinkers Weigh In
Orwell was not alone in noticing this phenomenon. Other great thinkers independently reached similar conclusions. The renowned philosopher Bertrand Russell articulated a nearly identical sentiment. He did so in his 1959 book, “My Philosophical Development.” Russell was criticizing philosophical movements that tried to disconnect language from the real world. These theories argued that words should only be compared to other words, not to actual facts.
Russell found this viewpoint completely nonsensical. He believed language must connect to empirical reality to have any meaning. For him, the idea of a self-contained linguistic system was a perfect example of intellectual absurdity. He famously stated, “This is one of those views which are so absurd that only very learned men could possibly adopt them.” Like Orwell, Russell saw that some ideas require a significant amount of formal education to believe. Ordinary experience and common sense would otherwise act as a natural barrier.
Proliferation and Attribution
Over the decades, this core insight has reappeared in various forms. Its compelling nature has led to numerous variations and attributions. For instance, in 1974, columnist George Will applied the principle to political commentary. He criticized American intellectuals who idealized the British parliamentary system. Will called their belief “so dizzy that only American intellectuals could believe it.”
The saying’s power ensures its continued circulation. Commentators and writers often attribute different versions of the quote to Orwell, even when the wording doesn’t exactly match his original essay. This proliferation demonstrates the idea’s enduring relevance. It speaks to a fundamental truth about human cognition. The observation captures the risk that intellectual frameworks, while powerful, can sometimes obscure simple truths that are plain to see for everyone else.
Why Does This Happen? The Psychology of Learned Foolishness
What makes intelligent, educated people susceptible to such beliefs? Several psychological and social factors contribute to this paradox. Understanding them helps explain why expertise in one area doesn’t guarantee wisdom in all areas. It also shows how intellectual environments can sometimes foster, rather than prevent, irrationality.
One major factor is intellectual insulation. Academics and theorists often operate within echo chambers. In these environments, colleagues and peers share similar assumptions and value complex, abstract ideas. A novel or counter-intuitive theory might receive praise for its originality, even if it lacks practical grounding. Consequently, this reinforcement can lead a whole group of smart people to accept a flawed concept without facing real-world pushback.
Furthermore, there is the power of commitment to a theory. When an individual invests years building a career around a specific intellectual framework, it becomes very difficult to accept evidence that contradicts it. This creates a powerful confirmation bias. The intellectual actively seeks data that supports their theory while dismissing information that challenges it. The more complex the theory, the easier it becomes to explain away inconsistencies rather than confront fundamental flaws. An ordinary person without this deep intellectual investment can often see the situation more clearly.
Finally, some intellectual cultures mistake complexity for profundity. A simple, common-sense explanation may be dismissed as naive or unsophisticated. In contrast, a convoluted theory that is difficult to understand may be seen as more brilliant. This preference for complexity can create an opening for absurd ideas to take root, as they are shielded by a barrier of jargon and abstract reasoning. Practical wisdom, on the other hand, often favors the simplest effective solution.
Conclusion: The Enduring Wisdom of Common Sense
The observation that “one has to belong to the intelligentsia to believe things like that” remains as sharp and relevant today as it was in Orwell’s time. It serves as a crucial reminder that education is not a perfect shield against absurdity. While intellectual training provides powerful tools for analysis, it can also create unique blind spots. The commitment to abstract theories can sometimes overshadow the practical wisdom gained from lived experience.
Ultimately, the quote champions a healthy dose of skepticism and humility. It encourages us to test even the most sophisticated ideas against the bedrock of reality. It reminds us that common sense, far from being a sign of simplicity, is a vital cognitive tool for navigating the world. True wisdom lies not just in the ability to understand complex ideas, but also in the ability to recognize which ones are simply foolish.