Define Ignorance

[TLSnell1981]

Originally Posted by PrincessKsMom
I agree with this but think it's not only the lack of knowledge or understanding, but the outright refusal to learn or become knowledgeable regarding a subject.

That's how I define "stupid".

 

[onelilspark]

Main Entry: ig·no·rance
Pronunciation: \ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s\
Function: noun
: the state or fact of being ignorant : lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

I kind of wondered when I clicked on this how it had gotten to two pages. I mean, it's a word. And it has a definition, I didn't think it was something that was up for debate.

 

[edwardsfire]

That's how I define "stupid".

LOL, i love the word stupid.
It is mighty liberating and refreshing to use that word.

 

[pogo791]

There's a reason why this thread went to two pages: people use words in different ways. And that, in turn, is not necessarily because they're ignorant or (shudder) stupid.

Edwardsfire and Swedish Meatball gave pretty good definitiions. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge and understanding, either in general, or on a particular topic. What PrincessK'sMom mentioned, the refusal to learn or become knowledgeable about something, is willfull ignorance. A good example is Sherlock Holmes, when he tells an astounded Dr Watson that he (Holmes) doesn't know and doesn't really care if the earth revolves around the sun, or the sun around the earth, because one way or the other this doesn't really affect his work.

And Bluestar, you've got a winner in your son. I wouldn't agree that racism is ignorance (although it is largely the result of ignorance), but I definitely like his way of thinking!

 

[Cindy B]

I first would have asked which context.. and then gone from there.

My big question to my kids when they ask a question like that is "Can you clarify what you want?"

 

[ols386]

Lacking in knowledge.

 

[Bluestars]

I first would have asked which context.. and then gone from there.

My big question to my kids when they ask a question like that is "Can you clarify what you want?"

When my son gave me his definitation, I knew he meant define an ignorant way of thinking and not the word ignorance. He obviously doesn't think the definition of ignorance is racism. However, he thinks people who are racist are being ignorant. I probably should have clarified the title of my thread, but I was just posting for entertainment.

I find other people's responses interesting.

 

[SundancePass]

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968), Strength to Love, 1963

Hmmmm...it semms then, using this quote that, to me, conscientious stupidity is rampant in the United States these days.

 

[RickinNYC]

belief in something even when it is logically or scientifically proved wrong.

Well put. Although that's my definition of a friggin' idiot. Ignorant is just the purdy way of sayin' it.

 

[Axel]

The refusal to learn, accept, or otherwise acknowledge that a viewpoint other than your own exists.

 

[chris1gill]

Ignorance is not being able to open your mind up to other things that are bigger than what is in your own world, or not being willing to open up to new ways of thinking, that you may not be familiar with or agree with, but are curious to understand. It is also the concept behind being not intellectually curious for one's entire life. Ignorance can also be measured by IQ, however, someone with a lower than average IQ can certainly be intellectually curious and bring themselves further as a result.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[TLSnell1981]

Main Entry: ig·no·rance
Pronunciation: \ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s\
Function: noun
: the state or fact of being ignorant : lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

I kind of wondered when I clicked on this how it had gotten to two pages. I mean, it's a word. And it has a definition, I didn't think it was something that was up for debate.

I agree......but, some folks will debate/argue anything!

 

[Chicago526]

I would say not knowing something that you really should know, also it can be insisting you know something and ignoring all evidence to the contrary.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I agree......but, some folks will debate/argue anything!

Yeah, and none of them can claim ignorance.

 

[JR6ooo4]

The lack of knowledge and understanding of any given subject is ignorance of that subject.

Yes. So knowing why "you" are a racist (not you edwardsfire) is just hatred.
Being a racist without knowing why you feel that way is ignorant.

Mikeeee