Is Ignorance BLISS?

Question

There was a Scene in the Matrix when Cypher was talking to an Agent in the restaurant. Cypher said this..." I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize? Ignorance is bliss. " Do You Agree?^^

Answer 1

Indeed I do agree that ignorance is bliss.

This was the first question on the board when we started philosophy our one-hundreds. Our teacher told us not to forget the question because at the end of term, it will still be relevant.

That was almost five terms ago.

The question is still relevant to me far even after the Epicureans and Sartre.

Think about it this way:
How are you feeling now?
Relaxed? Annoyed? Physically hungry?




Now, I ask you:
What if your mother/father/lover/spouse had an affair. Once.
(I'm just asking this because it's something I mind: We're Catholic (I'm cafeteria Catholic, though, personally) and this year is my parents' silver wedding. Gods, I hope I didn't jinx it!)

Now, right after that question, how do you feel?
It could go on.
(Like, did the waiter spit into my soup? kinds of anxiety.)

I realised that the minutes before entering philosophy class, right before that question, those moments were bliss.
This question never gets old for me. Or perhaps someday it will.

Answer 2

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Consider the Jesus freaks, evangelicals and other deeply religious folks, all have reverted to that primitive limbic systems of our brains, the place where our deepest emotions reside. The 'born-again' Christian phenomena has a scientific basis. When people are in deep despair, near death, nearly starved, or other highly emotional states, the 'religious experience' is triggered. Hormones, dopamine receptors and other chemical reactions take place...all good for the body. They help to fight diseases, etc. It was a survival mechanism our bodies have devloped since the days of our primitive ancestors.

Those that know the truth however, ie Objective Reality, are not allowing themselves the body's defensive mechanizm that has evolved over time. The closest they (we) can come is to believe in the 'power of positive thinking' which is the closest to religion (use of the limbic system of our brains) that we atheists can get.

I've chosen Objective Reality, even knowing that a delusional worldview could be beneficial to my health and body....go figure.

Answer 3

In that instance, I'd say yes.

As a child in small town Wyoming, I didn't know of the crime and drugs and death in places like New York and California. I was able to go out and play on country roads until midnight and no one thought anything about it. All the kids did it. We didn't spend our evenings in front of a TV or a computer.

Now kids are very much aware of crime and even in small town Wyoming, they are careful. They can't be out after 10pm and younger kids are always inside before dark. No more shadow tag or kick the can.

This is NOT saying our crime rates have gone up that dramatically, but the news has pervaded our society and infected the kids.

Yes, ignorance can be bliss.

Answer 4

Depends what it is. Examples:

If you have cancer, and you are ignorant because you don't know about in the early stages before it spreads. Then It is not bliss, it is tragic.

If your husband, had a one night stand with a women and you are ignorant about it. Then it is bliss.

Unless something is life threatening, if you don't know about it then you are better off being ignorant.

The only time being ignorant about something is to your detriment is if you had known about it you would have been able to help the situation.

Someone posed a question on Yahoo answers. Should I tell my friend that her husband is having an affair. My answer was no. Most women know when their husband is being unfaithful, but they choose to deny it. They have their reasons, who are we to tell them. Are we helping the situation by telling them if the woman wants to deny it?? When the women is ready she will face her husband with her knowledge, until then we should SHUT UP.

Answer 5

If one is ignorant one doesn't ask? Therefore you have to find bliss some other way. In Buddhism Ignorance causes suffering by leading us into harmful thoughts, actions, etc. The goal is not ignorance but freedom for being compelled by our own ignorance

Answer 6

Yes. I believe ignorance is bliss, but only for a while. You can live in ignorance, believing things are as good as you want to believe they are. But, eventually you, someone else, will open your eyes and you'll realize that things aren't as great as you thought they were, hoped they were, or planned them to be. Ignorance was bliss, now its just ridiculous

Answer 7

I don't necessarily agree, but I don't disagree either.
The saying "ignorance is bliss" is often misunderstood. Basically, it means that not knowing is bliss. This is certainly true. when you don't know something is wrong, when you aren't aware of the consequences of a bad choice, and don't have to take responsibility for anything, then, yes, its bliss.

Answer 8

That quote doesnt really fit because he was not ignorant of the fact that the steak was not real, but still had an appreciation for it. The quote would apply more to those who did not have awareness of the matrix.

Yes, I believe the quote to be true to some extent. Without knowledge of problems, including your own lack of awareness, shortcomings, etc., one is relatively happy.

Answer 9

If you don't know what stressed is or what its about or if it effects you, then it is bliss to a point.

But I think the point the quote is trying to convey is that Knowlege is a burden or can be at times.

Answer 10

I think your question needs to be expanded a bit to include "ignorance of what?"

If you are ignorant of danger, worry, or faults, then your are blissfully unaware of the consequences and proceed merrily on your way.

However, if you are ignorant of love, happiness, companionship, or joy, then I wouldn't call your lack of awareness "bliss". Such ignorance could only lead to despair and loneliness.