Is SSE's education really "FREE"?

Abstract: This thesis aims to investigate to what extent higher education suffers from Functional Stupidity and thereby inhibits students from developing critical and reflective thinking. Specifically, the thesis studies the Stockholm School of Economics with the aim of answering the research question: "To what extent is Stockholm School of Economic's education influenced by Functional Stupidity, and why?" A qualitative research method collected empirics through interviews with educators and students, and seminar observations. The result revealed that the Stockholm School of Economics suffers from Functional Stupidity to a moderate to high degree. The main explanatory factors were considered Brand and Culturally generated stupidity. Given the result, students may struggle to develop critical and reflective thinking in higher education and thus not possess the demanded skills and abilities to tackle future challenges. Hence, the thesis provides valuable insights and encourages a more comprehensive discussion within higher education about how to foster critical and reflective thinking. It also contributes a new perspective on Functional Stupidity by studying an educational setting.