An old saying claims that "ignorance is bliss."
It means when someone is unaware of the negatives in his life, he will supposedly continue along happily in his routine.
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| John Dewey |
John Dewey, the American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform once said: Genuine ignorance is... profitable because it is likely to be accompanied by humility, curiosity, and open mindedness; whereas ability to repeat catch-phrases, cant terms, familiar propositions, gives the conceit of learning and coats the mind with varnish waterproof to new ideas.
I guess there is such a thing as a genuine or decent ignorance -- where a person is a fool, but then his ignorance about the world helps him seek the truth and by being humble, curious and open minded.
But there is also such a thing as an arrogant fool - a person who is ignorant about his stupidity, and doesn't do a thing to rectify things even after being advised.
A similar quote is : “The greatest ignorance is to reject something you know nothing about”
A similar Malay saying is Bodoh Sombong or Jahil Muraqab, meaning doubly stupid -- a person who is a fool but doesn't know it, and plays along with his ignorance.
Another one is the Malay folklore based on the character Pak Pandir - who is "bodoh" but doesn't know he is "bodoh" and plays along with it. But in most of Pak Pandir's story, the character is a happy go-lucky man, who lives well within his stupidity.
But far from the objective reality, the saying is just a perception created by dreamers (who also happen to be writers). Ignorance does not result in bliss, but rather the person having an overweening or a big-headed arrogance with his ignorance.
Some writers also associate ignorance and arrogance with success.
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| Mark Twain |
It basically means that if you don't know what you are doing, but act like you do, then you will succeed.
I couldn't find a similar Malay proverb or saying on this one, but when I do I will update this posting.
But what do you say to an incident when some political leaders plead ignorance about other people's religious sensitivity by arguing that they do not practice the religion (Islam, in this case)?
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| pic taken from Zulhisham Tokasid's FB status without his permission |
He further argued that “…I have a right to say that it is basic manners to shake hands with people. That’s my values... understand? You must also value my value, which is good manners, which include shaking hands.”
This statement “That's my values... understand? You must also value my value, which is good manners.... to shake hands....” is utter ignorant and arrogance in the true sense of the words.
It smacks of unbridled condescension where he expects other Muslims to accept and adopt his moral values, despite his own lack of understanding and interest in the values of other communities.
UMNO Deputy President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had to openly chastise Dr Chua to respect the choices of an individual, specifically with regard to the issue of Muslim women “shaking hands” or shaking hands with men wearing gloves as was portrayed in this episode by Cikgu Normala Sudirman, the PAS Tenang by-election candidate.
Muhyiddin and the Pakatan Rakyat parties have also pointed out, that there are many other issues of importance to discuss in an election, than about whether a Muslim woman should shake men’s hands.
I think in the next political episode Dr Chua will be issuing another statement if he is caught sleeping with another woman: "You must value my values, because to me having sex with other women who is not my wife is my value", -- for the man who-was-caught-with-his-pants-down-while-shagging-the-flowergirl-without-wearing-a-glove has now spoken.
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| Elbert Hubbard |
His party-men and women, the members of MCA must also abide to these values.
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