How Not To Be Stupid : The Transformative Power of Independent Thinking

Author: Igor Sibaldi

Popular philosophy

Published on 16 July 2026 by PAN MACMILLAN (Pan Books) in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 208 pages
203 x 138 | 148g

The international bestseller.

‘A clear, provocative guide to thinking more freely‘ – Christine Gross-Loh, bestselling author of The PathStop living on autopilot and take back control of your own mind.

We are surrounded by stupidity. Yet we rarely ask what it really means or where it comes from. If we can identify that someone else is stupid, there’s a good chance that we are not. That’s enough for most people.

In this provocative exploration of human behaviour, philosopher and bestselling author Igor Sibaldi argues that stupidity is not a lack of intelligence, but an inability to look beyond social norms and think for ourselves. Through twelve core areas of the human experience – including communication, wealth and overcoming fears – he uses wit and irony to help you arm yourself against stupidity, challenge your biases and turn obstacles into opportunities.

Examining some of the most influential ideas from psychology, theology and history in engaging, bitesize chapters, this is an essential toolkit for navigating the chaos of modern life.