Is ignorance bliss or is it just easier than knowing or finding out the truth?

Question

Would you rather be ignorant or knowledgable?

Answer 1

Granted if I were going to die in the next 5 minutes I might not want to know that. But with a few exceptions like that - ignorance is just ignorant. Why would you want to not know something? Does feeling stupid make you feel better? Does feeling uninformed make you feel more self-confident? Does feeling like learning is "too hard for you" make you feel like a better person?

I can't imagine any realistic situation where I would rather be dumb.

A

Answer 2

Kierkegaard said that the greatest despair is to be in ignorance of ones own condition. I have to agree with him. There is an aspect about ignorance that is seemingly blissful to those who deal with the burden of knowledge. But here is the catch, is the ignorant person even really in a position to understand how fortunate they are to be ignorant? They are ignorant, after all!

Consider the Buddhist question: Does the ox suffer its burden? Probably not, because it doesn't have the capacity to be aware of its burden. An Ox doesn't look at the cattle out at pasture and think, why did God punish me when others have it easy?! But isn't this unfortunate for the Ox? Perhaps if it had the capacity to understand its burden, it could free itself of it.

So I suggest a third option, resignation of knowledge. Compare the innocence of a child to the innocence of someone who has chosen to return to innocence because they have chosen to abandon knowledge. The later's innocence is not due to ignorance, while the former's is. It seems obvious to me that the later is in a better situation than the former.

Basically, I think it goes back to what Socrates said. The wisest man claims to know nothing. Someone in ignorance has not developed the awareness that "nothing can be known" and isn't it true that the ignorant are also the most often to be misled and taken advantage of? Meanwhile, someone aligned toward knowing things suffers the burden that comes with "knowing things". But someone who pursues knowledge back toward innocence (realizing that nothing can be known) is in the best position, because their innocence was earned and not the product of ignorance. As such, the would be immune or at least very resistant to getting taken advantage of.

Answer 3

Well yea I think Ignorance is bliss, because with knowledge come's so much responsibility! And all the horrible emotions and feelings that come along with that responsiblity...although you also become more open to good feeling and things, too. But if you are ignorant than you have no worries about missing out on those good things you would have with knowledge, because you would be IGNORANT to them! LOL. So really you are better off ignorant because you would feel no pain or remorse and you would be content and happy! And yet knowing all this I still choose knowledge and truth...it's just human nature I suppose.

Answer 4

The problem with 'ignorance is bliss' is that you can only hold it up for so long before it wears thin. Then if you ignore knowledge then once the shine is gone there is nothing left and you are left with an empty void. That is why knowledge is the best bet every time.

Answer 5

In some cases ignorance is bliss. Generally speaking we are both ignorant and knowledgeable people. No one person knows everything. My father is a doctor, can make people well; yet he has to take his car to a mechanic, knows nothing in that area.

Answer 6

Knowledge or Lack thereof...They are both one in the same.
The Taoist philosophy fields an approach to this seeming dichotomy which works for me. The highest level of being exists in the uncarved, un-imprinted stone. This may resemble nihilism - and I'm not denying it does, however in order to contain any knowledge of the nature of the universe, there must also be the inevitable noise and chaos of the conditioned mind in which it must nest. Eliminate that noise and chaos and you will have the opportunity to experience your pure self, as well as others.
This is why a state of so-called "ignorance" can be a blissful experience. I enjoy the Pagan approach as well. I have always incorporated many open-ended philosophies to find love and spirituality without religious dogma. This is one example.

Answer 7

Hey, I love the new picture!

Regarding the ignorance question: it really depends on the subject. For MOST, I would have to choose knowledge. I love to learn. There are SOME things, however, it is better to not know.

Like what exactly IS in head cheese or souse loaf or haggis.

I really DON'T want to know, thank you!

In other words: if you wanted me to drink the Mescale, you shouldn't have told me there was a WORM in it! Bleaaaaah...

Answer 8

Hello Spookshow Baby.. :)

No ignorance is not bliss..that is why I am a child of the Most High God..

There was no answer in Wicca, nor Buddha, nor being raised an Atheist..I have done my research.. :(

I found that Truth and the Truth has set me free..Amen!!

For now I have knowledge of the Lord..unto those that seek wisdom, they shall find great riches..

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.. :)

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 9

Ignorance is bliss - it must be nice.

Personally I would rather not live in a disillusional world and know as much as possible about everything

Knowledge = power

Answer 10

Ignorance can be a good thing. If I knew that a deadly snake was sleeping 6 inches from where I was walking by, and wouldn't be disturbed by me...I would still freak out and run! Ignorance of why you are here.....I can't see it as a good thing. In faith or in secularistic society. It could lead to a sorrowful life.