What is the appropriate response to ignorance?
|
2
points
At the risk of making a not entirely accurate comparison but for the sake of advancing the argument: Should someone opt to drive while intoxicated we would respond with sanction. Yet when someone acts out of ignorance the response so often is to ignore it and let it go. Why is that? Both scenarios involve someone acting against reason and in a way that harms others. Is it because ignorance so often corresponds with reified values and beliefs? Why are we so willing to turn a blind eye to ignorance when it so clearly damages society and hurts individuals? Why do we tolerate it so readily? 2
points
Because ignorance is present in all of us. Who knows, you may be ignorant of the fact there were 33, 000 gangs in the USA (2011) And....to the fact that during many wars, governments spent lumps of money on biochemical warfare, and where was it tested? On Islands obscured from everyone else's view - and many were abandoned when things went out of their control. Ignorance may be a key part of survival....who knows??? 1
point
Should someone opt to drive while intoxicated we would respond with sanction. Yet when someone acts out of ignorance the response so often is to ignore it and let it go. Being ignorant and acting on that ignorance are two different things. We can't punish people for being ignorant. That would be similar to punishing people for thought crimes, although in this case it would be lack of thought. However, once they commit a crime because of their ignorance, then we can and should step in and impose some form of punishment. Why are we so willing to turn a blind eye to ignorance when it so clearly damages society and hurts individuals? I don't think we should turn a blind eye to ignorance that is harming society. We should only do it for ignorance that is harmless, such as being ignorant of quantum mechanics or string theory. 2
points
1
point
1
point
1
point
|
