Invincible Ignorance

Invincible ignorance is when a person simply refuses to believe something to be true, ignoring any evidence given, or makes assertions with no consideration of objections or simply dismiss objections by calling them excuses, conjecture, etc. or saying that they are proof of nothing, all without actually demonstrating how the objection(s) have no value.

Invincible ignorance is a term that has its roots in Catholic theology, but is also used by logicians. It refers to the lack of knowledge, either of fact or law, that a person is unable to rid himself of, even by applying reasonable diligence. It is different from vincible ignorance, which is lack of knowledge that a person could remove by making an effort, and nescience, which is lack of knowledge that doesn't matter. A person is not morally responsible for invincible ignorance.

In Catholic tradition it is assumed that infants and young children are likely to demonstrate invincible ignorance because they have not yet matured to the point of having “the use of reason.”  It is also assumed that healthy individuals will learn their way out of all forms of ignorance as they progress into adulthood. 

As we grow into adulthood, we can begin to reflect upon the reality that our Family of Origin has provided ~ for each of us ~ most of what we take for granted about our lives, the world we live in, and our assumptions about how to deal with one another.  Our formal schooling and our informal education is intended to help us in our quest to learn what is true and good.  If all goes well, we develop the ability to distinguish what is true and good from what is false and wrong.  This includes the ability to make judgments about what we experienced growing up in our family that may have been untrue or destructive ideas and behaviors, and learn better and more helpful ideas and behaviors.  

However, the process of becoming a mature adult takes decades, and most folks enter into love relationships and marriage with little understanding of the “differences” they have each inherited from the family in which they grew up.  These “differences” can be as simple and innocent as one’s favorite foods, music, style of clothing, hobby, or where to vacation.  These “differences” can also be as complicated ~ and even destructive ~ as racial prejudice, abusive behavior, refusal to admit my mistakes.

For Better & For Ever ® is designed to help couples learn as much as possible about what they have each inherited from their Family of Origin and their peers and whatever else they are bringing into the relationship that might become their marriage.  They want to learn how to talk about everything that is important to deal with so they can construct a healthy marriage and an equally healthy family.