Ignorance vs Intelligence.

**daemonsage420** · 06-16-2006, 04:18 PM

Here is my view on this matter. Feel free to discuss your viewpoint on it and which you think is better or which quality you think should be practiced by those around you as well as by your own self.Anyways here's my opinion.

There are extreme differences between ignorance and intelligence.

When a person ignores, is oblivious to, or lacks the neccessary knowledge to understand a given idea, situation, or concept they are presented with, that can be classified as being ignorant. They tend not to think about matters but more or less involve themselves in things. This can be damaging. For instance if they are unaware of all the legalities associated with Real Estate when purchasing a house, they can end up digging themselves a financial grave. An intelligent person would utilize their knowledge and ask questions pertaining to Real Estate of various companies and individuals before they even consider the purchase of a house. But ignorance is not always a negative attribute for a person to have or maintain. If you remain ignorant to certain area's of life it can actually benefit you instead of being a liability to your well-being.

A person who is intelligent knows how to think in a way that is based in reason and rationalization. They often are the ones who conceive innovative ideas that people consider genius. However there are certain fallibilities associated with having such a high intellect. Those who are adept in this area tend to think too much. Most times this is good and they are blessed with knowledge some would consider unattainable. But sometimes this way of thinking causes one to try and understand or analyze a certain idea that is better left taken as fact and should not be dwelt upon for too long.

Death and all that it entails is something that cannot be fully understood without having been experienced. Thinking about what happens after we die is a concept that should not be pondered excessively. Intelligence can lead to depression, unless you are secure with your existence, it's frailty, and it's brevity, when exploring this area of thought. Maintaining ignorance when presented with this idea is often times better than trying to rationalize the effects and repercussions of death. You don't have to undergo the constant battles with ideas that intellignet people face, however you'll never be able to form your own opinion on the matter. You'll always end up accepting what another human has said as truth. But you won't have to deal with all the bull**** of thinking about "what happens when this happens?", "what is this for?", "why is this like this?", "why isn't it more like this?", "who created this?"....etc.

Pretty much all I've gathered from my own views and perceptions on this matter is that Ignorance can be bliss but also damaging. Intelligence can be helpful but a lot more damaging than ignorance in certain cases. It can dissolve and disillusion your former beliefs. It can break you if you're not careful. I'm not saying maintaining a high level of intellect is a bad thing and I'm definitely not saying ignorance is better. I'm simply stating that both can be harmful. All in all, I think we must utilize both but in both areas moderation is the key word.

Anyways, what do you guys think?

Of course, I fully understand if you don't want to post or lack your own opinion. I've seen how people are manipulated and know how someone can let themselves be led to actions they otherwise would not approve of. I should have just put this in the Ranting and Raving Forum cause apparently I'm the only one who has a unique perception and viewpoint(or at least one that I don't feel stupid or embarrassed expressing) on this issue. Let me say this: Am I surrounded by cretins?!

**Zac** · 06-21-2006, 05:39 AM

i believe that noone is intellegent and we are all just idiots makign wild geusses that are loosly tied together

Ryan · 06-21-2006, 06:40 AM

It's a good thing that your not ashamed by your Viewpoints. Everybody has a differant veiw on things and if your ashamed by those views you don't have control of your own life. Discussing those view points is a way for you to learn more adout that view.

Your topic is too hard for my small brain to handle so i can't say anything about it.

**DaemonicReano** · 06-22-2006, 08:26 PM

Oh well.......that was the old, evil, me.....no longer.

06-27-2006, 09:25 AM

I believe the concept you're looking for here is 'balance', not 'moderation'. Excuse me for nitpicking, but when I ponder this very thing, I always seem to think that 'balance' describes the very thing you have to do to cope in this world.

Most people balance themselves between ignorance and intelligence without even realizing it. Some people may have an unequal igonrance:intelligence ratio, but we all do it at some point. No human being is without reason and rationale, and no human being is without ignorance. Both are mechanisms to our survival.

Being of the type that is more "intelligent" than "ignorant", I can honestly say the grass looks greener on the other side. It can often become extremely frustrating being caught up in thoughts that not only cannot be fully understood, but cannot be changed either way. Intellectuals have a habit of obsessinve over things that either have no direct effect on their lives, or simply cannot be changed. Thus, they forget to enjoy life: They don't stop to smell the roses, is what I'm saying.

Not being one to ignore many things, however, I can't accurately comment on what it's like to be a person not so overcome and obsessed with reasoning and rationale. I very rarely take anything at face value; there is always a "why" or "how" in my mind. Living a life like this can be very stressful and distracting. However, sometimes I feel that questioning my existience, and scrutinizing the way I live, is better than floating on through my life without a significant thought or care.

Ignorance and intelligence can have a great effect on one's own life, but you forgot to comment on the effects that it can have on society. I live in America, where so many people are over-come with "the rat race", that they do not think about things in an intellectually stimulating way. They know that they get up, they get dressed, and they are in the office by 9 o'clock. They know that they do what they are told during the day, and leave at 5 o'clock, and go home to eat dinner. Most do not question exactly why they are doing what they are doing, and if they do, the answer is often, "Because I must." It's rare for people to then ask, "But why must I?"

That is not to say that these people are necessarily a detriment to our society. If everyone asked questions instead of doing the work that they had to, our society would pretty much grind to a halt. However, a socity full of people that simply give and take, is a society that is easily suscpetible to a lower stanard of living. The government tells us they will pay a minimum of $5.15 an hour, and they also tell us that we have to pay up to 50% in taxes. Without questioning it, many people hand over this money, completely unconcerned with what it is being used for, or if they will get it back. A month later they may find out that their tax dollars went to support a cause they do not agree with, because of their igorance. Maybe years down the road, the ignorance mass continues to pay no mind, and the government takes %75 of our wage, which could be down to $2 an hour, while we live in government-built ramshackled housing, because certain laws and bills were passed that no one payed any attention to during the rat race.

I believe that there needs to be a delicate balance between intelligence and ignorance in both one's life and in society. However, not being the type that is ignorant to many things, I would go out on a limb and say that the grass is greener on the other side.

**shaolinXLAW** · 09-07-2006, 02:42 PM

i don't think there should be a balance cause sooner or later ignorance, as stupid it may sound, it will end up taking over cause people now a days are getting more lazy and so the population of ignorance is just shooting through the roof u know? and we don't want that, well i don't that is!! and so all we need to do is give everyone an I.Q test and whoever scores below a 90 cause that is the average human intelligence should be b*$#h slapped then be shot on site for being dumb! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA i love my views, well just the ending part!!

02-08-2007, 01:30 AM

I don't feel that anyone should be protected from the truth behind a veil of ignorance; doing so will cause more damage than the contrary. Although there are detrimental effects of intelligence, such as losing the ability to grin like a fool in the face of the transience of life by saying, "Well, there's a heaven," they pale in comparison to the benefits.

Our decisions are predicated upon our fundamental laws/principles; if those are flawed due to ignorance, that will lead to incorrect extensions based upon those faulty assumptions. For the world to function properly, especially in a democratic sense, it would be preferable if everyone knew the consequences which a particular choice would entail. It's generally a bad idea to spring from a rotten foundation; if you draw conclusions based on erroneous theories/postulates, they will most likely be similarly invalid.

The answer to your questions depends on whose point of view you are examining it from. May a particular individual derive happiness or some other form of gain from the bliss that accompanies ignorance? In some cases, certainly. Can the world benefit from individuals in such a state? Most assuredly not. In essence, ignorance is a selfish condition which helps the ignorant person, but hurts everyone else.

**Acid Bunny** · 02-08-2007, 05:51 AM

go INGORANCE!!!!!!

Apachai · 02-26-2007, 05:34 PM

well unfortunately i fall on the intelligent side according to the rankings (IQ = 145) so intelligence for me, however you need ignorant people in the society to do bog standard jobs like dustbin men and stuff like that. for this reason i think the balance should be equal, neither intelligent or ignorant people rule over the other, however if you think bout it the intelligent people have been for ages. the ignorant people just follow the intelligent people (ie watching tv which was made by john logie baird, quiet smart man)

02-26-2007, 05:44 PM

Depends on the person I suppose. Some people find some people intelligent and other find them ignorant as ****. I guess it is what you have drawn a conclusion on what you believe is ignorant or intelligent.

**Halcyon** · 02-26-2007, 11:07 PM

It's a matter of comparison...because no one is ignorant if everyone is ignorant. One's normality is measured by comparing it to another's.

02-27-2007, 04:49 AM

LOL! I am laughing hysterically right now. Seems that the only ones that know what the **** the thread maker meant in his post were: me, Sagacious, Zac, and the thread starter. All of yall aren't even answering his question, just posting out random thoughts about ignorance and intelligence. And Haly, if I know what the hell you are trying to convey in your post there, I would reply... but I think you just pasted some random big words you found off a thesaurus. Anyway,

For example, what he is basically asking:

A) Having no knowledge of something, like if the world was going to blow up and you don't know, you'd be happy (happy since you don't know you will die) cause you are ignorant

or

B) Having knowledge of something, like if the world was going to blow up and you are aware it will happen, you'd be sad (sad since you know you will die) cause you are intelligent

So, is it better to be the intelligent person or the ignorant person? Do you think it's fair that some people are oblivious/ignorant to everyday principals? Ect.

**Neo Zelda** · 02-27-2007, 01:24 PM

Ignorance and intelligence stand in the eye of the beholder.