Some people say that you can define an NPC by the lack of inner monologue.
In that definition, the person doesn’t need to be dumb, only someone who just follows their programming. But all the same, they just go for it.
Discussion
If you don’t have an inner monologue I think you’re dumb by definition
Yeah but in order for someone to tell you whether they have an inner monologue or not, they would have to ask themvelses in their head. This would cause them to ponder internally for a while, leading to the development of what might be the first glimpses of their inner monologues!
This is the ultimate recipe for uplifting NPCs