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Ignorance Plus Arrogance Equals Stupidity
It is not the first time that I have made this observation, but some recent events have led me to give it reconsideration. Ignorance refers to a particularly state of knowledge, which can be expressed simply as a fact. We are all ignorant about various facets of reality, and we're all ignorant of what lies 'beyond', metaphysicians notwithstanding. Indeed one of the great things of education is not that it teaches knowledge, but rather provides a much greater degree of self-awareness of what one doesn't know.
If knowledge is the first axis representing a source of data from which to form opinions internally, then another is one's orientation towards others when expressing those opinions to others. If the continuum on one axis is from ignorance to knowledge, then the other is from arrogance to humility. People with humility are obviously better people to deal with, but so are knowledgeable people. This leads to an approach which I suggested some six years ago (another person's f-locked post on livejournal).
I still think that this categorisation is roughly right, both in terms of association and as inspiration. Where it is wrong, is that sometimes due to due to circumstances, one cannot simply avoid the 'ignorant and arrogant', especially in wage-labour where one's interlocuter has been assigned positional authority. One may thing providing such authority is dangerous and damaging to an organisation, and that might be true - but it is so common to see situations where there over a dozen bureaucrats, administrators and managers (that term used quite loosely), and a third of that people doing the real work. It is, of course, an unsustainable position, but corporate culture with its aggressive arrogance and wilful ignorance creates such situations all the time (as the Dilbert comic strip has been pointing out for years).
Which raises the issue of how do deal with such encounters. That is something which still requires further elaboration. Knowledge only works if the alter is trying to educate themselves, even if it is for their own benefit. Humility is internally difficult when one has the desire just to shortcut the entire conversation with a trump, especially when an alter's arrogance is an attack on one's inner pride. Assertive humility as an alternative? Now there's a challenging concept. Of course, I readily admit, I still sometimes find myself often in situations where the famous XKCD concern of someone is wrong on the Internet to lead me astray. But is so entertaining sometimes.
If knowledge is the first axis representing a source of data from which to form opinions internally, then another is one's orientation towards others when expressing those opinions to others. If the continuum on one axis is from ignorance to knowledge, then the other is from arrogance to humility. People with humility are obviously better people to deal with, but so are knowledgeable people. This leads to an approach which I suggested some six years ago (another person's f-locked post on livejournal).
Knowledgeable & Humble: Be accepting. These are the people to associate with.
Knowledgeable & Arrogant: Be amused. They provide wisdom, but are yet to apply that knowledge to their own inner peace. Perhaps they can learn from themselves.
Ignorant & Humble: Be amused. They are at least honest about their own limitations. Perhaps they can learn from others.
Ignorant & Arrogant: Be appalled. There is no justification for such childishness. They cannot learn.
I still think that this categorisation is roughly right, both in terms of association and as inspiration. Where it is wrong, is that sometimes due to due to circumstances, one cannot simply avoid the 'ignorant and arrogant', especially in wage-labour where one's interlocuter has been assigned positional authority. One may thing providing such authority is dangerous and damaging to an organisation, and that might be true - but it is so common to see situations where there over a dozen bureaucrats, administrators and managers (that term used quite loosely), and a third of that people doing the real work. It is, of course, an unsustainable position, but corporate culture with its aggressive arrogance and wilful ignorance creates such situations all the time (as the Dilbert comic strip has been pointing out for years).
Which raises the issue of how do deal with such encounters. That is something which still requires further elaboration. Knowledge only works if the alter is trying to educate themselves, even if it is for their own benefit. Humility is internally difficult when one has the desire just to shortcut the entire conversation with a trump, especially when an alter's arrogance is an attack on one's inner pride. Assertive humility as an alternative? Now there's a challenging concept. Of course, I readily admit, I still sometimes find myself often in situations where the famous XKCD concern of someone is wrong on the Internet to lead me astray. But is so entertaining sometimes.
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Of course I also have that XKCD cartoon up on my wall :)
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