Hayek considered genuine independent thought a minority capacity in any society

Evidence

Probably it is true enough that the great majority are rarely capable of thinking independently, that on most questions they accept views which they find ready-made, and that they will be equally content if born or coaxed into one set of beliefs or another. In any society freedom of thought will probably be of direct significance only for a small minority. — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 224

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Hayek framed individual rational self-direction as dangerous civilizational hubris — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 227