The “Basic Laws of Human Stupidity” are a set of principles proposed by economist Carlo M. Cipolla in his essay *The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity*. These laws outline how, despite intelligence or expertise, human beings can act in irrational or self-destructive ways. The first law states that “always and inevitably everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals in circulation,” meaning that we tend to underestimate the prevalence and impact of stupidity. The second law argues that “the probability that a person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person,” highlighting the universality of stupidity. Cipolla also identifies the “stupid person” as someone whose actions cause harm to others without gaining any benefit for themselves. The laws further emphasize the disproportionate impact of stupidity on society, suggesting that it can be more harmful than malice, since stupid actions tend to cause damage without any strategic gain. Cipolla’s satirical work underscores the complex, often unpredictable role that irrational behavior plays in both individual lives and societal dynamics.
the basic laws of human stupidity
