Assume Ignorance Not Malice

Ignorance is often taken to mean not knowing something. More precisely, it is the process of willfully ignoring things. This can save time and turmoil. But beware: Ignorance looks like stupidity.

Ignorant about ignorance, I had thought it was willfulness-neutral. A couple of local dictionaries seem to agree that one can be ignorant through accident or design.

And I was certain ignorance was willfulness-neutral, and that stupidity was willful ignorance. Perhaps the text is an example of what it describes? Though that would depend on whether it's ignorant or stupid.

[Ignorant refers to a lack of knowledge or awareness. (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ignorant) Stupid indicates a lack of intelligence or an inability to learn, to overcome ignorance. (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=stupid) Sometimes, our ignorance itself can make us stupid. (UnskilledAndUnawareOfIt.) But neither term in itself implies will or intent. Moreover, in actual use, stupid frequently implies an innate inability to learn; therefore, the term should be used with utmost care in order to ward off misunderstandings.]

See AssumeStupidityNotMalice

We just don't live long enough for everyone to know everything. Then again, perhaps not everyone is interested in knowing everything, like myself and some other frequenters of these boards.

"Assumption is at its best when it is not used at all." -- DonaldNoyes

"Do; or do not. There is no try." -- YodasTeaching

CategoryBehavioralPatterns