Voluntary Ignorance

Anyone who knows me, or reads any of my postings, knows that I really hate liars.  As I have stated repeatedly, I will respect any opinion as long as it is supported by facts because then we can discuss or debate the issues on an even basis.

Liars, howevwer, base their truth on falsehoods but they pass on their lies to others, thus perpetuating their garbage.  In fact, one day I will blog about the multiple levels of liars and their motives. But as they say, that is another show.

When thinking about liars, I came across a subset of liars that seems to be forgotten.  Moreover, when not forgotten, either dismissed or forgiven for they are a subset of another group as well.  I am calling them the Voluntary Ignorant.

I am not talking about those who are ignorant through no fault of their own.  Those who had no reason to know any different or who are being misled by someone whom they trusted.  They can be forgiven for their short-term ignorance, especially if they correct their actions when they are given exposure to the facts.

No, I am talking about Voluntary Ignorance.  That is not knowing the facts, not wanting to know the facts, actively avoiding the facts, believing falsehoods without checking their veracity, and disagreeing with the facts based upon pre-existing biases.  There are many layers as to why this happens, but none is acceptable.

This can run the gamut for all kinds of ignorance but never, never has a good outcome for society as a whole.  As just one example: The jury is still out about evolution.  What you have to ignore are: Dinosaurs, Mitochondrial DNA (otherwise everyone would have the same because we would all come from EVE), Fossils, Etc.

I could argue a whole lot of other issues.  Some of them may present a bias of my own but I am truly looking at instances where people are voluntary ignoring facts because they want to be ignorant.  It seems to be focused on religion and politics.  Then again, most controversy does seem to be focused around those topics.

My contention is really simple: if the facts disagree with your beliefs – your beliefs are wrong.  Additionally, just because you ignore some (or all) or the facts does not make your beliefs any less wrong.

As far as I am concerned there truly is no definitve difference between the Voluntary Ignorant and out-and-out LIAR.  It is just a matter of knowledge of the individual but not the intent of the messenger.

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