Is Ignorance Truly Bliss ?

Question

Is Ignorance truly bliss or painful ?

Answer 1

Ignorance is easy. Knowing is always better.

Answer 2

No. Ignorance is generally time-consuming and expensive.

Answer 3

Depends on the subject. In matters of love and emotion, things I'd rather not know about (my fiancee cheating on me, my best friend's daughter being molested by a neighbor, or whatever other horrific things that someone could think up), then yes: ignorance is bliss. While I might need to know that the neighbor who did it hurts children, I don't need to know that my god-daughter was one of his victims. Honestly, ignorance is bliss, in that case (as the lack thereof might put me in prison on a murder charge, and that would be wrong, too).

But in matters where information is necessary, such as to save life, limb, liberty or allegiance, knowing is better than not knowing. If there's definitely a bomb in the building, I might not want to know about it, but I do need to. Ignorance, in that case, might be painful.

So the answer is situationally dependent. When in doubt, ask.

Answer 4

I think your truly need to ask yourself what "is" ignorance?

I have a wife who states that it is her right to NOT vote.  Now that "*is*" ignorance.

bv2_bv2 HIT the point.  It is called awareness.  

DENY ignorance.  Question it all.

To answer the question, ignorance is both. It's bliss when you don't know the outcome or repercussion or are utterly "out there".  It is also painful when you can't do anything to change the outcome yet you know better (politics on steroid common sense, yet do nothing).

Care and luck,

Answer 5

Even though i luv the quote "ignorance is bliss" it really just a quick solution for your problems. in the end you usuallly are in more trouble and pain. =]

Answer 6

Yes, I used to be so naive, completely blind to the way of the world. I have learned too many of life's lessons in a short amount of time. I would take my ignorance back anyday.

So while I think ignorance is bliss. I also find it painfull to look at / see iggnorance, they are in for a rude awakening.

EDIT: Yes, perhaps oblivious is better suited than iggnorance.

Answer 7

Neither - if ignorant, you don't know bliss or pain since there is no awareness.  Ignorance cuts down on overall emotion and can generally be reflected in a life of malaise. Just my opinion - I could be wrong.

Answer 8

Painful - at least knowing something gives you the choice to remain ignorant or to act upon it, whereas you have not got that choice if you don't know in the first place.

Though you could argue that knowing something might taint decision making and actually bias results towards "pain" you might say.

Such as:

If I remain ignorant of the real suffering in the world, then I won't feel obligated to actually help - so I will have to suffer neither the guilt nor the sacrifice which must be made to give to another, whereas if I do know - then I have to suffer either the guilt or the sacrifice (or both, perhaps, for not giving more sooner).

Either way, someone is in "pain" - be it those in need, or the previously ignorant who are no longer ignorant.

Though, the pain is mitigated and isn't as bad for either if one knows.

Answer 9

Oh to be a child again!!! (in a good,loving home) (in the 40's or 50's) (between wars)  (protected)

I worked with the cerebral palsy /mentally retarded handicapped. ..in wheelchairs. Most of them were happy.

I just deleted a bunch of things that I wish I was still ignorant of. lol

  In hindsight...I see how truly ignorant I was...but I was happy then.

Sometimes I think there are things that we aren't supposed to know....for our own good and happiness.

Sometimes I think the paranormal is one of them.

Answer 10

Really, this is just a little quip that means you can't be unhappy about something you're not aware of. Ignorance here just means being aware of a certain piece of info. Ignorance in the general sense, that is, not being very smart or well informed, usually leads to more problems and struggles.

Answer 11

Generally, yes. when you're ignorant, you are oblivious to any outside depressing influence, such as wars, death, ect.

note: if you've ever read "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, you'll see how Kirsten Johansen is totally oblivious to all the violence and warfare and is probably the happiest in the family

people should read that book

Answer 12

The way I understand the quote is "out of sight, out of mind". If you don't know about something, you're not aware of it, it can't bother you.

I suppose it depends on how you choose to define ignorance and bliss. Ignorance is pretty straight forward. imo It means a lack of awareness. Bliss on the other hand... thats bit more subjective.

If you wish to define the quote by saying that by being ignorant one experiences more pleasure, then its probably not true in all circumstances. Many people live in pain, fear, poverty, self destruction and bondage because they do not have the awareness to escape it. Some are at a greater advantage than others, but still many choose not to change because they don't know how to change.

Through studies into psychology, on thing you may learn is that many people with even just mild disorders thrive on misery. Some actually seek it out and sub-consciously want the chaos - that gets them the pitty, the attention, what they want, but it doesn't have to mean that they are happy, or that they feel pleasure.

From a Buddhist point of view the saying is absolutely true. One of the biggest aspects of buddhism is to let go of attachments in order to transcend mortal existance. In order to let go of something, completely, you have to loose all awareness of it.

Aside from a spiritual stand point I disagree with the idea ignorance is bliss - at least in the long term. Choosing to ignore the realities of life can be a bad thing and not dealing with those things now can lead to problems in the future. If you know there are things that cause cancer, and you choose to ignore understanding what those things are and you get cancer; you're not going to be experiencing bliss.

I guess one possible way where the saying could be completely true is in the case of people who are in a coma or in *some* instances where a person is mentally handicapped and simply cannot understand anything beyond ignorance and is otherwise living a happy life. Then for coma patients, ignorance is only bliss as long as being in a coma doesn't mean they are somehow in pain.

Answer 13

I had an aunt who was a shut-in most of her life.  She was truly unaware of the issues related to politics, wars, work, and even money.  She wasn't stupid (she could understand and reason at a fairly high level) but she truly didn't understand certain aspects of daily life.  She found joy in reading (simple things), remembering her life and the people she met, watching old movies, and humor.  Like everyone, she had pains and problems in her life, but she was "blissfully unaware" of the more complex issues that most people consider every day.

Because she had caretakers, she didn't need to concern herself with most practical issues, and for most of her life, she was one of the more happy people that I knew.

With knowledge comes responsibiity.  With responsibility comes stress and the need for action.  The more you know, if you have a concience, the more you feel you need to do.  And when you feel you are more able than those around you, sometimes you feel that it is your duty to do more.

Some people are able to handle great responsibility, and some people actually thrive with more stress.  These people need knowledge in order to feel happy, and ignorance would only make them feel useless and unfulfilled.

So, I guess it depends upon your situation and your personality.  Ignorance of certain facts can give you the opportunity to focus more clearly on those things that are important to you, and you can find satisfaction and joy in simple things.  Knowledge, on the other hand, is empowering and can allow you to achieve more in your life.  If you are driven toward achievement for your satisfaction, knowledge is essential.  If you don't feel a need to contribute a great deal and if you find satisfaction within your limitted environment, ignorance of the things outside or your envirnoment truly can be blissful.  

Good question!  There's a lot more to to this question than is apparent on the surface!