Originally published in the Dutch language as De Encyclopedie van de Domheid
in 1999, this revised and enlarged English edition (2003) provides a collection
of short essays concerned with the follies of human behavior, rather than an
alphanumeric dictionary of tabulated entries cataloguing acts of stupidity, as
the title might suggest. Indeed, rather than citing the familiar and widely
acclaimed retellings of the behavior of idiots and stupids, Van Boxsel treats
the reader to a refreshingly new montage of the less frequently cited
behavioral repertoire of select eccentrics, collectors and oddballs.

       
Self-reflexively, and true to his own thesis, the author’s penchant for
collecting the material collated in this volume, was perhaps less a result of
his desire to present it in this way, than was it embarked upon in an attempt
to perhaps overcome his [own] stupidity, if not its very intangibility.
Although a large number of definitions and examples of stupidity are put forth
throughout the books eight chapters, the reviewer was left unenlightened
(though thoroughly entertained) with regards the formation of any new
understanding of the evolutionary or cognitive mechanisms underlying human
stupidity (seen as "not a failing, but a force." p.20). However, this
in no way a failing of the book’s intended purpose.

Occasionally
using koans, paradoxes, jokes and catch phrases as examples, van Boxsel’s
writing was (at least in the earlier sections) reminiscent of D. Hofstadter’s
excellent use of dialogues in his Godel, Escher, Bach…., but in the Encyclopaedia
of Stupidity there is little discussion or further contextualization
following presentation of the examples given. This leaves further entertainment
options for the reader, of course, but some may wish to be provided with more
detail from the author’s own point of view.

In
part literary, part historical, philosophical, and large part art critical, van
Boxsel’s commentaries on his thoughts concerning stupidity and such considered
acts, span ancient accounts (include the biblical and classical ‘blind to
faith’ eras), through modern stupidity (where knowing too much of the wrong
detail can cause the problem), to our own more post-modern forms of stupidity
(our stupidity at work in what we do, not merely in what we think we are
doing).

Superbly
illustrated throughout, the text is perhaps poorly referenced for the reader
wishing to further negotiate with the author’s primary sources. An index and/or
extended bibliography would also be welcome. But without wanting to give away
too much here in review, van Boxsel will convince many that the true enemies of
stupidity are satire and (yes, you’ve maybe guessed already), a good
encyclopedia — two forces which are becoming increasingly impotent in their
ability to prevent our tending towards stupid behavior.

© 2005 Anthony Dickinson

Tony Dickinson,
McDonnell Center for Higher Brain Function, Washington University School of
Medicine, St. Louis.

Categories: Psychology