Is Ignorance Actually Bliss?

    Imagine a life of tremendous wealth, in which nearly any wish you have is granted. You could live in a mansion full of extravagant architecture with intricate designs and exquisite colors. You could have clothes made of only the finest materials and your meals could be personally cooked with organic and delicious ingredients. At the expense of such a utopia, however, you must remain isolated from the outside world. Would you accept this opportunity?

    In his novella The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, Fitzgerald portrays such a world with the lives of Kismine and her wealthy family. However, due to the covertness of their wealth (a mountain made of diamond), they must live alone to protect their secret. Because of limited interactions with the outside world, Kismine is ignorant of the many struggles other people face, yet her life is a dream. Why should she have to care about the outside world? Why can’t she remain ignorant and live her happy life? The answer to these questions lies in the innate nature of humans.

    Many have heard the saying ignorance is bliss, a principle that can readily be applied to human life. At first glance, it would seem that this statement holds true. If your life merely consisted of your experiences, then the world would be a bright place. The only problems you would encounter are ones that you personally experience, and as an average individual, the chances of a serious problem are unlikely. Take for instance the thousands of species going extinct each year or the rapid melting of ice caps in the Arctic. If you are unaware of these facts, you wouldn’t be affected by them—even if it’s something that can indeed affect you personally, such as Colony Collapse Disorder. Why then do we encourage mindfulness and spreading awareness of the issues in this world?    

    The answer is quite simple: knowledge is power. By understanding the world around us, we gain a power that allows us to solve problems and spread our ideas. It’s a known fact that humans have been able to rapidly develop due to the spread and accumulation of knowledge. If everyone was ignorant, newfound knowledge would be lost and, with each generation, major issues would persist. Sure, we could remain happy living behind a facade of false realities or we could wield our knowledge to create a lasting impact on this world. Even in Fitzgerald’s story, Kismine, despite having all the wealth she could ever wish for, is not happy. So, in a way, a life of ignorance is merely a life of misery. Humans are innately social creatures and being ignorant goes against this scientific principle. Spreading knowledge is spreading power, and by being aware, we can make the world a better place one step at a time.