Simple and complex ignorance differ in whether faulty frames block correction.

Evidence

This is a point that Ingrid Mattson makes by referencing Islamic law. Mattson, professor of Islamic studies at the University of Western Ontario and former president of the Islamic Society of North America, notes the distinction in Islamic law between “simple ignorance” and “complex ignorance.” The former refers to inadequate knowledge on a matter resulting from a lack of information. The latter refers to assumed knowledge on a matter even though one is mistaken or has faulty information. With complex ignorance, one has cognitive frames that will not allow correct information to enter the mind and to transform one’s thinking. This means that an entire deconstruction process must take place before one can be open to receiving correct knowledge. — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 652

Categorization

• DEFINE: The distinction between simple and complex ignorance is the chapter’s key conceptual tool.
• XREF: Connects to cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias literature on why corrective information is filtered out. — connects to: Humans face ignorance of facts and indeterminacy of aim when regulating conduct — HLA Hart, The Concept of Law (Clarendon Law…, 368; Unawareness of identification influences blocks correction for them. — Brandon Randolph-Seng, Darcy A. Reich, and Kenneth G. DeMarree, On the Nonconscious Antecedents of…, 54

Broader Connections

• Humans face ignorance of facts and indeterminacy of aim when regulating conduct #expands (0.75) — HLA Hart, The Concept of Law (Clarendon Law…, 368