Interesting idea: Premeditated ignorance

I’ve been following Britt Hartley for the last while. She speaks and writes about many of the philosophical issues I’m interested in.

I love this idea of premeditated ignorance. I’m inclined to think this is less of decision, and more of a behaviour. Or a script. Or a reflex; a habit. But, hey, tomāto tomæto. ¹

• Youtube channel: No Nonsense Spirituality
• No Nonsense Spirituality

1. Premeditated ignorance is the behaviour of remaining unaware of challenging information to avoid the responsibility of change. We don’t want “to know what’s in a hot dog,” Hartley explains that this behaviour is amplified in religious contexts because the true believers do the math on the value of new information. If the benefits of a belief system, such as community, safety, and an escape from the fear of death, outweigh the desire for objective truth, the brain will actively refuse to process contradicting facts even when they are presented directly. A shift in belief is hard. It often requires more than just new data; it usually takes a significant, personal experience, like a child coming out, or a high core value of truth-seeking to override this protective ignorance. Facing reality takes courage and energy.