[perfect_fat]

Passive ignorance is far from immoral. One of my favourite characters of all time is passively ignorant. Boxer the horse from 'Animal Farm.' He is told he needs to work hard for the sake of his people, and he works as hard as he can. You may aruge that his blind faith in Napoleon was Conscious ignorance, but Boxer truly did not know any better.

Conscious ignorance is often on the level with nationalism and religion. It is the strictest adherence to ones belief system based solely on second hand knowledge, and indoctrination. A refusal of any new ideas, regardless of their validity or benefit to mankind. Undying selfishness.

Accidentally ignorant brings to mind the neo-nazis. The accidental ignorance comes from a lack of knowledge, and refusal to accept wisdom from an opposing view point. Often attributed to a need for acceptance and lack of self-esteem.

Decisively ignorant is conscious ignorance for intellectuals. That's all that needs to be said.

Ignorance itself isn't a vice, but the comfort provided by a total understanding of the world, and of the intentions of our rulers. Comfort is a goal of nearly every human being. Ignorance brings stability, and calm to one's life and that is more addictive than heroin. Our culture of consumerism is slowly destroying our planet, yet we can not stop, because these modern "neccessities" such as running water and electricity are the only life we know. The awareness that everytime you turn on a light, or drive somewhere you are destroying the planet is an unsettling thought, hence ignorance saves us from our own conscious and reason.

I think intelligence is another curse. The ability to think outside the box and to examine yourself subjectively leads only to sorrow and disappointment.