Three Levels of Ignorance

Ignorance has been classified in to many levels by several experts and authors. Here, I have classified it in to three levels for simplification and easy understanding.

Level 1 Ignorance

When we don’t know something but we know that we don’t know we are at Level 1 ignorance. There is nothing wrong in being at this level, simply because it is impossible for anyone to know everything that exists. In fact, this is a very good level to be at because knowing that we don’t know something makes it possible to make an effort to know it and overcome ignorance. Besides, there is no need for everyone to know everything. 

Level 2 Ignorance

When we don’t know something and we also don’t know that we don’t know it we are at Level 2 Ignorance. This is a level of sincere unawareness. Generally, this happens with regard to either what is latest or what is ancient. We become aware of many things over a period of time. There is nothing wrong in being at this level also. However, if our Level 2 Ignorance is about things which are necessary for safe, sane and healthy day-to-day existence, that can be an issue. It is better we shift from this level to Level 1 and start knowing what is required to be known.

Level 3 Ignorance

When we don’t know something but we think we know it we are at Level 3 ignorance. It is quite dangerous to be at this level. Being at this level can expose us to social embarrassment and at times can become a major hindrance to the career progress. In extreme cases it may result in job loss also. Lack of intellectual depth and ego are two major reasons for being at this level. Doing or saying something just because it is the ‘in thing’ or fashionable is another reason. Listening to others with an open mind and with a sincere desire to learn can lift us from this level to Level 1. Trying to find out more about a new subject or concept when first time we come across them and before we start talking about such subject or concept is a healthy way to prevent being at this level of ignorance.

Examples

Below are a few examples of various levels of ignorance. Levels of ignorance involved in these examples may be determined by the readers themselves.

Example 1

Often we read in newspapers, especially financial newspapers, reports related to Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrencies. More often than not, reports related to Central Banks not permitting/legalizing Cryptocurrencies go on to talk about Blockchain technology and mention how the conservative approach of Central Banks is hindering the widespread adaptability of Blockchain technologies. The readers get an impression that use of Cryptocurrencies is essential for adaptation of Blockchain technology. The fact, however, is that although most Cryptocurrencies use Blockchain technology to record transactions, use of Cryptocurrencies is not essential for adaptation of Blockchain technology and this technology can be independently used for several purposes not related to Cryptocurrencies (https://bit.ly/2TnoVk4).

Example 2

Many a time, we also see reports in newspapers, including financial newspapers, how price of something has fallen by 5 times or how the size of something is 10 times smaller than the size of something else. Read the recent Times of India report about the size of Corona Virus (https://bit.ly/2xcIAdU). It says that size of the virus is 900 times smaller than the width of human hair. How is this possible? Assuming that the width of human hair is 1 mm (for the purpose of easy calculation only), then according to this report the size of this virus is -899 mm, which is impossibility. 

Example 3

Supreme Court (SC), on Mar 4, 2020, struck down the RBI circular, issued about two years back, which prohibited entities regulated by RBI from extending services for trading in Cryptocurrencies (https://bit.ly/2vDZ520). The SC order, thus, enables RBI regulated entities to extend services for trading in Cryptocurrencies. It doesn’t, however, make Cryptocurrencies legal tender in India. But, some experts have lost no time in claiming that Cryptocurrencies are now legal tender in India and thanked the Supreme Court for making it possible. A currency becomes legal tender when everyone is legally obligated to accept that currency in payment for goods and services. For example, while Indian Rupee is legal tender in India US Dollar is not a legal tender in India.

Conclusion

Ignorance is a fact of life and it is inevitable. No one can ever have knowledge of each and everything. However, it is important to be aware of three levels of knowledge and try to be at Level 1 as much as possible.