Philosopher Manuel Scheidegger Advocates 'Intelligent Stupidity' in Monopol Podcast

In a recent episode of the 'Fantasiemuskel' podcast by Monopol magazine, philosopher Manuel Scheidegger argues for embracing 'intelligent stupidity' as a response to the overwhelming accumulation of knowledge and the rise of artificial intelligence. Scheidegger, who works with cultural and economic institutions to open spaces for questioning established routines, suggests that our obsession with quick answers and data accumulation has not led to a better society. He reinterprets stupidity not as a deficiency but as a metaphor for a mindset that acknowledges human limitations and remains open to uncertainty, contradiction, and error. He proposes that AI, which he prefers to call 'Keine Intelligenz' (No Intelligence), lacks self-reflection and the ability to question its own perspective, unlike humans. Scheidegger emphasizes that thinking should be a collective practice, and that organizations and democracies need to tolerate provisional positions and mistakes. He sees art as a unique training ground for this kind of thinking, as engaging with art involves surrendering control and allowing for irritation and transformation. The podcast episode explores how a different approach to human fallibility could make us wiser, and how art can facilitate this process. The episode is available on all major podcast platforms.