Leanne Smith thank you for calling attention to Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP post. I need to go read it. I think Thomas's statement is correct in light of the fact I know many people who have handicaps like autism that are very intelligent (like Albert Einstein) but are not aware of some simple life basics.

Ignorance...lets break it down using common sense: We have a root word in there "ignore" which leans toward awareness indifference. The "ance" part indicates the ongoing practice of ignoring. It appears to be self-inflicted

I agree with Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP 

Awareness is key in my mind and world. 

On a side note, I once heard someone say: 
"Ignorance can be cured. Stupidity cannot."  Perhaps that is the origin of "We can't fix stupid.  

To each their own.  I am not here to make anyone "wrong" for how they perceive their world.  

Whoa, this question is provacative and spoiler alert: seems to skirt the main point of what I was discussing in my article. It's important to distinguish between willful ignorance where one could read books but chooses not to, and ignorance due to lack of access or awareness of the information, and neither is the main focus of my post. Please take a moment to read my post before responding to this question.
                    Planning To Unlock Your Potential:
                    Overcoming Ignorance and Neglect

Both are valid descriptions. Webster's Dictionary states "lack of knowledge, education & awareness"

When you put the word "willful" in front of ignorance, we get another arena :)

It is a simple definition, Thomas is correct.

I wouldn't agree it is "lack of intelligence", because I believe there are limitations to each individual's intelligence. There are some things I just will never know the ins and outs of, ie. Dinosaurs (I really have no interest). But I do believe there is some ignorance due to people's unwillingness to enlighten theirselves about things they want to preach about. And then there are those who are "ignorant due to lack of awareness", and I believe that is a "wrong place at the wrong time" type of ignorance. 

I agree with a lot of Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP's post; people need to push themselves (or have someone else) out of their comfort zones, live, and learn about things that make them uncomfortable or that they are not naturally inclined to gravitate towards. 

Being well rounded helps us all to grow, and be better.

Leanne Smith 

Ignorance could be a lack of knowledge:)

intelligence.... it can be fixed.

I'm going to disagree with it being one or the other.  It can be both, as well as many other things.

Awareness could be things like "why is this person wearing a thick trenchcoat in 120 degree weather" or "reading a room."  Ignorance could be a comment made that is intelligent, maybe even answering a question properly and fully, but doing so in a room that doesn't want to hear you speak or even have you there.

I agree that ignorance is not necessarily a lack of intelligence, although a lack of intelligence can lead to ignorance. It's more a lack of awareness, lack of access to education, lack of reading skills, etc.

Ignorance, literally, is a lack of knowledge.  I suppose you could substitute the word awareness for knowledge... certainly Roget's Thesaurus does.

As a kid, we used to use the term ignorant as an insult, and in a way it can be.  It means you don't know what you're talking about because you don't have the requisite knowledge.

It does not mean you're stupid, or "unintelligent", merely uninformed.

 Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP  is wise and his post combines numerous factors that combine to create the equation.  That said, it may be too much math for me. At least that's the advice given in the Jethro Bodine School of Ciphering syllabus.   

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Ignorance could be either, it depends on the person and how they are acting or what they are saying.  There is definitely too much ignorance in the world, especially when we think about our politicians who have been elected, although that is more than likely greed that causes them to act ignorant, haha.

It is 4:00am in the morning and I con't sleep. Not sure my brain is in full grear. So  am going to agree with Bob "RealMan" Timm based on his personal experience. And, can embrace it based on my limited experience,

I think it is both, depending on the situation. You can be ignorant to what is happening around you (awareness). You can also be ignorant to how to something is done (knowledge).

Awareness is technically correct, but awareness comes of a desire to know, or learn, which at the end of the day bespeaks of intelligence. So, chicken or the egg question?

This is one of my favorite Arabian sayings.

He who knows not,
and knows not that he knows not,
is a fool; shun him.

He who knows not,
and knows that he knows not,
is a student; Teach him.

He who knows,
and knows not that he knows,
is asleep; Wake him.

He who knows,
and knows that he knows not,
is Wise; Follow him.”

     Intelligence plays a role in how we process and retain information, but ignorance isn't necessarily tied to a lack of intelligence. A highly intelligent person can still be ignorant about specific topics they haven’t explored. And just lazy or indifferent Leanne Smith.

      Dismissing someone as ignorant suggests that your perspective is inherently more valid, which can alienate the other person and escalate tension. Labeling shuts down opportunities to learn from others, even if their perspective differs from yours.

     When you or I or groups cancel or silence each other, it fosters "us vs. them" mentalities, increasing societal divisions and hostility. 2025 should be a year of respect for other's opinion instead of labeling them ignorant or unaware which comes off as sounding pretty darn pompous. 

Ignorance is lack of the needed knowledge on a subject.

I'll just go with this from one of my all-time favorites: Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. – Martin Luther King Jr.