Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
Well, I've always believed in ignorance is bliss. I might want to know the truth, but if the truth is something terrible, I would much rather be living the way I am.
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Blissful ignorance? Or regretful enlightenment?
- Thread starter Crystal Red
- Start date
I probe/question my own beliefs a whole lot more than occasionally. That's how I came to believe as I do. It's how I come to keep on believing as I do.Tawn said:
As far as having it all figured out... not even close. But hey, go ahead and assume it's so and call me arrogant if you like. Calling me names and implying I am stupid for believing as I do is not a productive way to get me to see things your way, though.
I dont believe I did that. In fact you seem to be totally misreading my comment. Youre assuming I am implying something against 'believers'.Snowbear said:
Absolutely not. A non-theist who doesnt question their lack of belief in God is as guilty of arrogance as a Theist who refuses to question God.
Anyhow, youre initial sentence would suggest that you dont fall into those categories. So chill out, the comment isnt about you.
You said: 'There is no need re revisit those areas you have already questioned.'NetDoc said:
That does imply that such a person has it all figured out.. but if you arent claiming to know the truth.. with certainty.. then I have no problem. However, I am still wondering why you would say no need to revisit something already questioned??
I suppose if it isnt practical to do so that would make sense.. is that what you were implying?
Well of course strictly speaking we all have subtlely different definitions of what Good and Evil actually constitute. Love too I suppose..michel said:Oh what a tangled web we weave..................
That sounds as if it is coming from sheer bias; I don't know what religion you are thinking of, but I can't see evil ever being able to come out of Love.
One mans love might be anothers evil. Heinous acts have been committed by various faiths for the love of their God. Whilst youre way of loving your God may be entirely peaceful.. that doesnt mean everyones way is.
EnhancedSpirit
High Priestess
The Internet Grandfather: Blissful Ignorance
Most of the time we seek knowledge, we resist ignorance, we want to learn everything we can. We remind ourselves of old sayings: Forewarned is forearmed, ignorance is the root of all evil, ignorance is not innocence but sin. But are there times when ignorance is bliss, are there things we don't need to know, things we are better off not knowing? I think there are some circumstances where we shouldn't seek knowledge, where we are, indeed, better off ignorant.
Normally, the reason we want as much knowledge as we can gain is so we can be in control. We believe that knowledge is power, that the more we know the more likely it is that we will do the "right" thing, that with knowledge comes wisdom. We think that if we can know all there is to know about a problem we can solve it. But it's worth considering whether all problems are solvable, whether facts lead to wisdom, whether there always is a "right" thing.
For example, I don't want to know that something bad is going to happen unless I can do something to prevent it. In that circumstance, knowledge brings worry and stress. Ignorance enables me to enjoy the time and whatever happens will happen. I won't be any better prepared for knowing and in ignorance I'll be more relaxed and better equipped to handle the event. Similarly, I'd just as soon not know about an incurable illness. While some would disagree, I would rather proceed with my life as best I can without knowing of this looming problem. If you can't fix something, why worry about it? And especially in this instance, worrying about it can interfere with your life as you fruitlessly pursue a solution that doesn't exist.
It's worth remembering that if we can't solve a problem, no matter what our level of knowledge, the search for knowledge may be counter-productive. We waste our time in the search and we blame ourselves inappropriately when we fail. Sometimes, we can live in blissful ignorance.
Most of the time we seek knowledge, we resist ignorance, we want to learn everything we can. We remind ourselves of old sayings: Forewarned is forearmed, ignorance is the root of all evil, ignorance is not innocence but sin. But are there times when ignorance is bliss, are there things we don't need to know, things we are better off not knowing? I think there are some circumstances where we shouldn't seek knowledge, where we are, indeed, better off ignorant.
Normally, the reason we want as much knowledge as we can gain is so we can be in control. We believe that knowledge is power, that the more we know the more likely it is that we will do the "right" thing, that with knowledge comes wisdom. We think that if we can know all there is to know about a problem we can solve it. But it's worth considering whether all problems are solvable, whether facts lead to wisdom, whether there always is a "right" thing.
For example, I don't want to know that something bad is going to happen unless I can do something to prevent it. In that circumstance, knowledge brings worry and stress. Ignorance enables me to enjoy the time and whatever happens will happen. I won't be any better prepared for knowing and in ignorance I'll be more relaxed and better equipped to handle the event. Similarly, I'd just as soon not know about an incurable illness. While some would disagree, I would rather proceed with my life as best I can without knowing of this looming problem. If you can't fix something, why worry about it? And especially in this instance, worrying about it can interfere with your life as you fruitlessly pursue a solution that doesn't exist.
It's worth remembering that if we can't solve a problem, no matter what our level of knowledge, the search for knowledge may be counter-productive. We waste our time in the search and we blame ourselves inappropriately when we fail. Sometimes, we can live in blissful ignorance.
Fluffy
A fool
Some things are not just impractical to constantly question but pointless as well. For example, there is no point in questioning a given belief that you have already questioned until you have some new information on the matter. Otherwise, the further questioning will produce an identical result to the last instance.
Thats a very positivist remark.Fluffy said:
Whilst I agree with you in principle, the result wont always be identical.. every moment of your life you experience things and in effect recieve new information. You change every moment becoming a different person.. your opinion about the same matter with the same objective data might change hugely over time..
I agree; what is missing in Fluffy's contention (sorry Fluffy) is our 'constant learning curve' - our interpretations and prejudices change throughout our life.Tawn said:Thats a very positivist remark.
Whilst I agree with you in principle, the result wont always be identical.. every moment of your life you experience things and in effect recieve new information. You change every moment becoming a different person.. your opinion about the same matter with the same objective data might change hugely over time..
Mr Spinkles
Mr
"Blissful ignorance? Or regretful enlightenment?"
For me, it all depends. For example, when it comes to Santa Claus, even though I would probably be pretty happy thinking that Santa does exist, I'm still able to live a perfectly happy life with full knowledge that Santa is folklore. If the truths the OP refers to were truly, absolutely horrible--so horrible that I would be in absolute agony and despair for the rest of my life upon hearing them--then I would choose blissful ignorance.
For me, it all depends. For example, when it comes to Santa Claus, even though I would probably be pretty happy thinking that Santa does exist, I'm still able to live a perfectly happy life with full knowledge that Santa is folklore. If the truths the OP refers to were truly, absolutely horrible--so horrible that I would be in absolute agony and despair for the rest of my life upon hearing them--then I would choose blissful ignorance.
