Ignorance

Where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. The realm of ignorance is so vast that no one volume can fully cover all of it. First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. Ignorance is lack of knowledge regarding a particular subject. It should not be confused with stupidity; many people might be uninformed (ignorant) about the facts of, say, evolution, but are quite knowledgeable (not stupid) on many other subjects. Education (below or at university level) tends not to instill reasoning power, but teaches how to pass various tests. The competition of peer pressure and religious teaching can easily overwhelm the teaching of compulsory (and therefore less liked by students) secular education. The beliefs of parents are the third leg of information input. It ain't the poor dear's fault — it's the fault of the system. Homeschooled people might receive misinformation from all three education directions.

Propaganda is the attempt to influence the ignorant by pushing information with a particular point of view (POV).


 * The website Conservapædia, for example, attempts to reduce ignorance by using a right wing fundamentalist POV; this is propaganda.


 * RationalWiki attempts to reduce ignorance by using a rational POV; this is information.

Remember: your propaganda is my information (and vice versa).

Of course "ignorance ≠ stupidity" has the corollary "knowledge ≠ intelligence." The guy who wins the quiz down at the pub is in all probability not the most intelligent, just the most knowledgeable about trivia.

Ignorantia juris non excusat (ignorance of the law is no excuse) is a general legal principle that means ignorance will not help in one's defense. Using ignorance as an excuse is different than using lack of intent as an excuse, which will work for some crimes, such as perjury which requires intent, but not for making a false statement while under oath, which does not require intent.