The Concept of Willful Ignorance: Choose Moral Leaders and be a Moral Influence

(Illustrative Only)

People struggling
to pay their bills,
afford groceries
or pay for healthcare.
Wages are not rising
for the average but
are expanding quickly
for the people on top.

Immorality in certain 
circles is high and it
is the rest of us who suffer. 
Leaders should be the 
best and brightest and 
not the most connected
or wealthy least
selfishness is projected
onto the rest of society.

Sometimes we wonder why, even when we know something is wrong, we don’t fix it. In many ways it’s like any other pattern we fail to correct — it simply continues. Most of us are decent people who try to do the right thing, as long as it doesn’t inconvenience us too much. But very few of us are willing to take a loss, even when it would be the moral choice. Our values become flexible, and the bigger the gap between those who gain and those who lose, the easier it becomes to justify self-serving behavior.

In essence, we choose a level of ignorance. And that ignorance has real consequences for society. Some people end up consistently treated poorly, while others benefit without thinking much about those left behind. Those who are gaining rarely worry about those who are losing. It is just the way it has been since the begining of soceity. For the vast majority of people it is about taking all they can get, ensuring the processes around them make it easier to do that, and surrounding themselves with people who can help them gain what they want. 

Of course, some people are different. They are more prosocial, guided by deeper values, and more aware of the needs of others. But research shows that about 40% of people choose willful ignorance—especially when being informed would mean acknowledging harm to others or giving up personal benefit. The real number may be even higher, depending on how we define it. No one is perfect. People can be selfish, decent, or—on rare occasions—truly generous. It has always been that way and likely always will be, because it’s deeply rooted in human nature.

Still, we can make choices about who we want to be. That awareness makes us more in control of our impulses. The next time you select someone for a position, consider an unearned advantage, lack of moral qualifications, or vote for a leader, think about the long-term consequences for everyone if people continue acting out of narrow self-interest and judging others based on status or social circles. These small decisions may be part of the reason the rich grow richer while many average folks are falling further behind.

I have seen people go out of their way to take advantage of others and I have seen people do wonderful things. Each has its benefits and detractors. Don't expect all people or leaders to be moral or make good decisions for society. Expect it to be a toss up but always beware of those who want things a little too much. 

Choosing Ignorance: 40% Shun Consequence Knowledge for Selfish Gains

• About 40% of people choose not to learn how their decisions will affect others when given the option.

• People who avoid this information tend to act more selfishly in those situations.

• When people are informed about the consequences, they behave more generously (altruistically) than those who stay ignorant.

• One reason for choosing ignorance is that it allows people to maintain a positive self-image without having to act in a costly altruistic way.

Vu, L., Soraperra, I., Leib, M., van der Weele, J. J., & Shalvi, S. (2023). Ignorance by choice: A meta-analytic review of the underlying motives of willful ignorance and its consequences. Psychological Bulletin, 149(9–10), 611–635. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000398