Ignorance is no Virtue

Ignorance is no virtue - all human beings have the moral obligation to make responsible decisions, develop fair attitudes, and acquire informed opinions so that they can live by mature deeds.

The above is my basic premise for this brief reflection. Some people, in the name of free thinking, choose not to critically reflect on their opinions, nor on their decisions, attitudes or actions - or inactions, for that. They ignore facts, fail to research objectively, and don't listen to concerned voices with good intentions, but rather choose to have an ostrich-mentality: they bury their head in the sand, as they don't want to hear and don't want to see. What drives these people? Often, a deep-seated inferiority complex, a fear that one might just be wrong and would have to change. But would you rather remain wrong and suffer for it in the future or face the short pain of change for a better future? You choose - it's your decision, and so will the consequences be. By way of analogy: would you rather not go to the dentist only to suffer pain and lose your teeth, or would you instead face the facts and have the dentist do a job - however painful - that will fix your teeth and ensure they are fine? The decision is not that hard to take, is it? It's only reasonable what we are supposed to do.

So why are people afraid to face the facts and the necessary change? You see, if our whole personality depends on whether or not we are right, if that area comes under attack, our whole world collapses. So, driven by fear, we choose to ignore the obvious only to hold on to our frail identities, which are nothing but card houses... remember the story of the three pigs who built different kinds of houses to hide from the hungry wolf (see below!)? Choose wisely how you are going to build your house (i.e., your life: decisions, attitudes, opinions, deeds).