The willfully ignorant are stupid, IMO

Current Events » in reply to willful ignorance sounds a lot like stupid to me

The willfully ignorant are stupid, IMO

Larry J — 1/7/2004 2:48:31 PM (archived)

because they refuse to accept the possibility that they're wrong when presented with conflicting evidence. Meerly being ignorant about a subject is a cureable condition, but there's no cure for willful ignorance. If it fits, then wear it.

As to the military reference, that was but one example where most people are ignorant. There are conservatives who support the military, but if they're ignorant about it, their support can be misguided such as support for a given weapons system or policy that might not be sound. Likewise, there are quite a few liberals who have a kneejerk hostility to the military that often also fed by their ignorance. The meerly ignorant should be willing to learn. The willful ignorant refuse to admit that any learning is necessary because they believe they already know everything.

The whole thread (45 posts)

Democrats losing? It's because the voters are stupid, of course. - Tom Brosz - 1/5/2004 6:41:02 PM
- The Republicans should NOT consider the 2004 elections "in the bag" just yet. As Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over 'til it's over." (n/t) - David F Mayer - 1/7/2004 12:41:14 AM
  - Very good advice. (n/t) - Tom Brosz - 1/7/2004 6:40:51 AM
- so you therefore think the Democrats are stupid themselves - Greg - 1/6/2004 5:52:49 AM
  - As Will Rogers said, "Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." - Larry J - 1/6/2004 6:42:29 PM
    - willful ignorance sounds a lot like stupid to me - Greg - 1/7/2004 2:46:24 AM
      - The willfully ignorant are stupid, IMO - Larry J - 1/7/2004 2:48:31 PM
        
        so there the debate ends - Greg - 1/8/2004 3:16:58 AM
        
        Historical evidence verses theories - Larry J - 1/8/2004 2:41:11 PM
        
        so where are the emperor's clothes - Greg - 1/9/2004 2:30:47 AM
      - re: willful ignorance - Tom Brosz - 1/7/2004 6:26:57 AM
        
        economics is brain surgery - Greg - 1/7/2004 8:36:49 AM
        
        No. It isn't. - Tom Brosz - 1/7/2004 5:37:04 PM
        
        so there's no such thing as compex economics - Greg - 1/8/2004 3:22:11 AM
        
        In your dreams - Larry J - 1/7/2004 2:38:22 PM
        
        Not worth the effort, Larry. - Tom Brosz - 1/8/2004 7:01:58 AM
        
        No, I won't believe your economic theories until I see peer reviewed papers on it. (n/t) - Greg - 1/8/2004 7:21:21 AM
        
        no longer joined at the hip - Greg - 1/8/2004 3:30:03 AM
        
        If the "economic experts" are running the economies around the world, - Larry J - 1/8/2004 6:27:23 PM
        
        so in other words you don't know anything - Greg - 1/9/2004 2:33:14 AM
        
        Show me the evidence - Larry J - 1/9/2004 2:28:35 PM
        
        Forget it Larry. Might as well try to convince Zeno that Achilles is faster than a tortoise. (n/t) - Tom Brosz - 1/9/2004 5:32:12 AM
        
        Yeah, you're right. He's the living embodiment of the Orwell quote` - Larry J - 1/9/2004 2:22:51 PM
        
        so show me some references - Greg - 1/9/2004 5:57:39 PM
        
        Imagine, giving tax cuts to the people who pay the most in taxes! - Larry J - 1/9/2004 6:46:54 PM
        
        Yes In A Time Of Suffering We Should Always Help Those That Need It The Least First - Mark Eby - 1/10/2004 6:16:16 PM
        
        re: Those That Need It The Least - Tom Brosz - 1/10/2004 11:32:28 PM
        
        When Will You Learn The Supposed Goal Of Capitalism? - Mark Eby - 1/11/2004 10:26:31 PM
        
        P.S. - Tom Brosz - 1/12/2004 1:53:33 AM
        
        re: Goal Of Capitalism? - Tom Brosz - 1/12/2004 1:48:44 AM
  - I think they are mistaken, not stupid - Tom Brosz - 1/6/2004 5:19:34 PM
    - if you wouldn't trust them to feed your goldfish you think they are stupid - Greg - 1/7/2004 3:02:37 AM
      - re: tax cuts working - Tom Brosz - 1/7/2004 6:34:31 AM
        
        re: tax cuts working - Greg - 1/7/2004 8:34:11 AM
        
        Cripes. Have it your way. - Tom Brosz - 1/7/2004 5:44:09 PM
        
        try posting some real evidence or try finding out what evidence is - Greg - 1/8/2004 9:59:12 AM
        
        Sorry, Greg. Now you're just nuts. - Tom Brosz - 1/8/2004 7:00:20 PM
        
        so let's toss out all the red herrings and ask again - Greg - 1/9/2004 2:37:20 AM
- Live near Cambridge, MA, Harvard Univ - we get this attitude all the time (n/t) - p - 1/5/2004 9:09:41 PM
- That's only one step removed from the mindset... - Larry J - 1/5/2004 8:02:40 PM
- Tim Blair comments - Tom Brosz - 1/5/2004 7:55:57 PM
  - One of the best was... - Larry J - 1/6/2004 2:39:44 AM
- Five words: "Un be leave a bull"...it's always a thrill to see such staggering arrogance in action (n/t) - McFly - 1/5/2004 7:53:55 PM
  - Most liberals are a lot more subtle about their elitism than this guy (n/t) - Tom Brosz - 1/5/2004 7:58:43 PM
- You prefer it coming from Republicans? - BG - 1/5/2004 7:41:25 PM

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