Being intelligent is a gift that carries with it a burden, a burden imposed not only by the weight of

knowledge itself, but by the hostility of the world around it. This quote, which could very well have come from the mind

of Arthur Schopenhauer, illustrates a cruel paradox: the greater the capacity to think, the greater the tendency to be

rejected. Society, at its core, seems to have an aversion to anything that challenges the norm, to anything that

forces individuals to confront their own limits. The intelligent, the one who thinks beyond the obvious, is often treated as a threat. This rejection is

not accidental; it is deeply rooted in the human desire for conformity and stability. Schopenhauer, in his work *The

World as Will and Representation*, suggests that the most elevated individuals, capable of seeing beyond the superficiality of life, are condemned to

an inevitable solitude, not because they seek isolation, but because society is quick to push them away. Imagine a party where everyone

is dancing to a song that only you notice is out of tune. Trying to point out a mistake does not result in

gratitude, but in disapproving looks. The same logic applies to the intelligent; their sharp perception is annoying. This

is the paradox: being stupid may attract immediate acceptance, but being intelligent is carrying the weight of

rejection. And this, as we will see, is a brutal psychology. Society is an organism that survives thanks to uniformity.

Since the earliest human tribes, group cohesion has been essential for survival. Any behavior or idea that threatened this cohesion was seen as a risk, and the

bearer of difference was quickly isolated or eliminated. This instinct remains alive today, even in a world

where intelligence should be celebrated. In psychology, Abraham Maslow, with his famous pyramid, highlighted the human need to belong. He observed that after

The basic needs of survival and security: human beings seek acceptance in social groups. However, there is a trap:

acceptance requires conformity. Those who dare to deviate from the norm, whether through disruptive ideas or behaviors

that reveal intellectual superiority, are seen as outsiders. Intelligence, paradoxically, can become an obstacle to belonging.

as a reflection of resentment, a concept also explored by Nietzsche. The masses, unable to reach the level of perception of the intelligent

individual, develop a silent resentment. This resentment translates into exclusion and hostility as a defense mechanism against that which

makes them feel inferior. To illustrate, think of Socrates, sentenced to death not for concrete crimes but for corrupting

the youth and challenging popular beliefs. His intelligence was so disturbing that the only response was to

silence him. On a smaller scale, this happens every day: the student who asks difficult questions, the employee who

proposes innovative solutions, the friend who questions accepted truths. They are not celebrated; they are ignored, ridiculed, or attacked. This exclusion

however, comes at a high cost, not only to the individual but to society. How can we evolve if we destroy those who bring new

Schopenhauer said that loneliness is the inevitable fate of those who see beyond the surface. For him,

the intelligent man is like a lone wolf in a world of sheep. He observes, questions, and inevitably distances himself.

The depth of his perception makes him incompatible with the superficiality of everyday social interactions. This isolation is not only

physical but mainly mental and emotional. While most people are satisfied with distractions and fleeting pleasures, the

thinker delves into existential, uncomfortable, and often unexplored questions. Nietzsche describes this as the

The burden of knowledge—a burden that those gifted with greater cognitive capacity carry. This weight separates them from

their peers, creating an invisible but palpable barrier. Albert Einstein, despite his genius, often expressed a deep sense

of isolation. He said, "It is strange to be known by everyone and yet to feel so alone." This loneliness, paradoxically, is

the source of his creativity. It provides the space to explore new ideas, but it also leaves deep emotional scars. In

psychology, Carl Jung talks about individuation as the process of becoming fully who you are. This path, however,

requires courage to face isolation and rejection, as the journey of self-knowledge often puts you at odds with

society's values. Intelligence, in this context, works as a bridge to this individuation, but at the cost of

breaking connections with the collective. This distancing also feeds a dangerous cycle: the more the thinker differentiates himself, the more he is

misunderstood; and the more he is misunderstood, the more he distances himself. Society, in response, labels this

individuality as arrogance or strangeness, without realizing that the real conflict lies in its own inability to keep up. But is the thinker's solitude

a curse, or can it become his greatest strength? In a world that often values the superficial, ignorance can become a

tempting refuge. Everyday life offers a number of distractions that can be comforting to those who prefer not

to delve into the more complicated issues of existence. In this context, media becomes a kind of shelter where the

complexity of ideas is replaced by the simplicity of certainties. This phenomenon is well expressed in

Schopenhauerian thought, where he emphasizes that most people live in a state of denial, preferring illusion to

An uncomfortable truth at the heart of this behavior is the search for psychological comfort by avoiding critical questioning.

People do not have to confront the pain of self-analysis or the uneasiness that comes with knowledge; fear of the unknown

often keeps people within their comfortable confines where challenging ideas are seen as threats. It is easier to adopt a set of pre-fabricated beliefs

than to risk the instability that comes with original thinking. Furthermore, the culture of celebrating mediocrity is reinforced by society; we applaud

conformity and normality while ignoring or even attacking those who dare to question. In many cases, criticism turns

into persecution; those who stand out are often seen as different in a negative way. This dynamic creates a vicious cycle

where the pursuit of social approval leads to a greater acceptance of ignorance and a disdain for knowledge.

The French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote about this preference for mediocrity, suggesting that contemporary society often disregards excellence in

favor of the ordinary. This mindset not only stifles individual progress but also diminishes the collective capacity for innovation and change. Thus, what

could be a path to evolution becomes a trap where the acceptance of mediocrity becomes synonymous with safety, but at a

high cost. This choice between the comfort of ignorance and the challenge of knowledge is therefore a fundamental question of the human condition; the

question that arises is: to what extent are you willing to sacrifice your quest for understanding in the name of social

acceptance? Intelligence, though often admired, can come at a high cost. Those who have a deeper understanding of life often face an

emotional isolation that is difficult to bear. Alienation arises as a natural consequence of an intellect that stands

out amidst the mediocrity around it. Schopenhauer suggests that loneliness is an inevitable state for those who seek

Truth in a world that prefers the simplicity of illusions. Disconnection from others can be especially painful because, as

intelligence grows, one's social circle tends to shrink. Conversations that were once stimulating can turn into monologues,

while the superficiality of others becomes more evident. The inability to relate to the thoughts and concerns of

others leads to a feeling of estrangement where intelligence becomes a burden. This phenomenon is well illustrated in literature; Dostoevsky's

character Raskolnikov in *Crime and Punishment* experiences this alienation. His internal struggle and desire to justify his actions

intellectually isolate him from society. The search for understanding and truth turns you into an outsider, a state that

many intellectuals know all too well. This loneliness is not just a social issue, but an emotional wound that stings

deeply, leading to feelings of inadequacy and even depression. Moreover, society often fails to support those who feel

alienated. The recognition and validation that intelligent individuals expect does not come easily, and culture often marginalizes these voices. Instead of

finding comrades who share their concerns, they are met with resistance and contempt. Thus, the price of intelligence

becomes clear: loneliness. This condition is not only a consequence but also a reflection of the mismatch between the

individual's search for truth and the collective resistance to understanding. The question remains: is it worth being intelligent if it means being alone? The

rejection that many intelligent individuals face is not just a matter of disdain, but a factor that can provoke

intense and sometimes violent reactions. When society marginalizes intelligence, the result can be an internal revolt; the

accumulated frustration resulting from years of contempt and misunderstanding can transform into a desire to overthrow the conventions that sustain this

Mediocrity. Schopenhauer argues that the perception of truth, when not accepted, becomes a sharp blade that wounds the

bearer. The experience of rejection is not new; many philosophers and thinkers have been misunderstood in their time. For example, Nietzsche, who would later become

one of the most influential philosophers, was initially ridiculed. The rejection of his philosophy as a form of nihilism was

a defense against the depth of his ideas. Thus, revolt can manifest itself not only in the form of action but also as a cry

for help, a call for change. However, this revolt does not always find a constructive path. Individuals who feel

despised can develop self-destructive behaviors, trying to adjust to a world that does not accept their

uniqueness. What should be a driving force for social change becomes a corrosive force, breeding resentment and

a vicious cycle of mistrust. This dynamic is often seen in social movements that emerge in response to oppression. The

anger that stems from rejection can be powerful, but it often leads to actions that are not aligned with the original

goal of fostering understanding and acceptance. Instead, it creates even deeper divisions. This tension between the quest for recognition and the desire

to rebel against society is a dilemma that many intelligent people face, resulting in a cycle of reactivity that

perpetuates the stigma of intelligence. In this context, it is crucial that society begins to recognize and

celebrate diversity of thought. What is needed is a space where intelligence can thrive, not be seen as a threat, but as a

vital resource for collective progress. As society advances, there is a relentless pursuit of collective happiness, but this happiness is often

based on mediocrity. The paradox is that while society applauds intelligence and innovation, it simultaneously sets up

barriers against those who embody them. The promise of a better future achieved through knowledge and skill often clashes with the reality that acceptance

is tied to conformity to the status quo. Mediocrity becomes the norm because the collective fears confrontation with

intelligence. This dynamic is reinforced by a culture that values superficiality over depth. Entertainment programs that glorify banal behaviors while relegating

knowledge and critical thinking to secondary roles exemplify how society has become distorted. It is fascinating to observe

that the pursuit of acceptance often requires a surrender of authenticity. Intelligence becomes a burden, a price to pay to be part of a group. Many prefer

the emotional security of being accepted by their peers rather than risk rejection in pursuit of deeper truths.

This collective pressure results in the creation of an environment where brilliance is silenced while mediocrity

thrives. Furthermore, this acceptance of the mediocre is not without consequences. It perpetuates a lack of innovation, holding back progress. Critical thinking

Schopenhauer: Stupidity as a Virtue and Intelligence as a Curse

Santti D'Angelo

부담으로서의 지능, 수용으로서의 어리석음

지능은 규범에 도전하는 사람들에 대한 사회적 거부감으로 인해 부담이 됩니다.

생각의 용량이 클수록 거부감도 커집니다.

거부감은 순응과 안정에 대한 인간의 욕구에서 비롯됩니다.

사회적 거부감으로 인해 고립된 개인은 고독에 처하게 됩니다.

어리석음은 수용으로 이어지고, 지능은 거절의 무게로 이어집니다.

사회적 압력과 규정 준수의 필요성

사회는 생존과 결속을 위해 통일성을 중시합니다.

매슬로우의 욕구 위계는 인간의 소속에 대한 욕구를 강조합니다.

수용은 순응을 요구하며, 순응을 벗어나는 사람은 거부당하게 됩니다.

지적인 개인에 대한 대중의 분노는 배제로 이어집니다.

지능에 대한 사회적 거부감의 예: 소크라테스, 학생, 직원

외로움은 표면 너머를 보는 자의 피할 수 없는 숙명입니다.

고립은 더 깊은 실존적 질문에서 비롯된 정신적, 정서적 문제입니다.

지식의 부담은 똑똑한 개인을 동료들과 분리시킵니다.

개인화를 위한 다리로서의 인텔리전스, 하지만 그 대가로 사회적 연결이 희생됩니다.

사상가와 사회 사이의 오해와 거리감의 순환.

피난처로서의 무지와 평범함의 문화

무지는 복잡한 실존적 질문에서 벗어날 수 있는 매력적인 피난처입니다.

많은 사람이 불편한 진실보다는 환상과 부정을 선호합니다.

미지의 세계에 대한 두려움과 자기 분석은 미리 만들어진 믿음에 집착하게 만듭니다.

사회는 순응과 평범함을 찬양하며 의문을 제기하는 사람들을 공격합니다.

사회는 평범함을 위해 우수성을 무시합니다.

지능의 정서적 비용: 외로움과 소외감

정서적 고립은 평범한 세상에서 지능의 결과입니다.

외로움은 진실을 추구하는 개인과 환상을 선호하는 사회 사이의 불일치에서 비롯됩니다.

문학 작품의 예: 도스토옙스키의 라스콜리니코프.

외로움은 사회적 지원 부족으로 인한 부적절감과 우울증으로 이어집니다.

지능(외로움)의 대가가 그만한 가치가 있는지에 대한 질문입니다.

지능에 대한 사회적 소외는 내부 반란으로 이어질 수 있습니다.

진실에 대한 거부는 그 전달자에게 상처를 줄 수 있습니다: 니체의 초기 조롱.

반항은 자멸적인 행동으로 이어져 부적응 행동으로 이어질 수 있습니다.

거절로 인한 분노는 비생산적인 행동으로 이어져 더 깊은 분열을 일으킬 수 있습니다.

사회가 생각의 다양성을 인정하고 축하해야 할 필요성.