The Fool: Ways Of Avoiding The Need To Think

When challenged to prove a point, people often resort to ad hominem attacks and point fingers elsewhere simply because they feel threatened. The are unable to respond rationally, so they stomp their feet and whine and complain.

Foolishness is indeed the sister of wickedness. Sophocles

Courts have been weaponized to attack those who expose problematic behaviours. The news is full of harassment lawsuits, and when those claims turn out to be false, countersuits often follow in an attempt to clear the accused’s name and effect justice. People who face false accusations can be left dealing with serious anxiety, and in many cases, they struggle to return to work or recover financially.

Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. Henry David Thoreau

Even the faithful can get swept up by societal pressures that push people to fight fire with fire. Until we address the current trend of childish adults using their flaws as weapons, the innocent will keep getting caught in the games played against them.

Everyday speech can reveal potential sources of conflict, sources we should avoid if at all possible. Answering with silence - and internal prayer seeking God's wisdom, peace, strength - is the most direct way of deflecting irrational behaviours.

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein

There are other ways of responding, to be sure. Some risk inflaming a situation. Then again, perhaps a larger fire will illuminate ignorance, bias or ill-will, and inspire a need for positive change.

1. "That's an interesting point. Could you expand on it a little more?"
2. "I am interested in what process and facts led you to that conclusion?"
3. "I wonder, are there other perspectives on the subject we might explore?"

Intellectually dishonest and tedious phrases:

1. "I guess we're just not smart enough to understand what you're saying."
2. "There’s no need to stick to historical performance practices when playing a piece by Bach or Purcell. We can simply perform it in a way that feels right to us."
3. "I don’t need to understand why the Pope does what he does; I just go by what I read in the news."
4. "My favorite source of information is the National Catholic Reporter. They always cover the topics I’m interested in."
5. "As a bishop, my word is final, even if the Church teaches that receiving Holy Communion on the tongue is most appropriate. For the sake of unity, I ask that the faithful neither kneel nor receive it on the tongue."
6. "Here at Saint Duplicitous Parish, we’ve always recited the words of consecration aloud together with the priest."
7. "Love is love."
8. "Primary sources? My main source is my friend Bob—he keeps up with all the top influencers."
9. "I pray if I feel the need to."
10. "Why do you always make me feel inadequate by asking for specifics?"

The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

When someone avoids clarifying their remarks or resorts to obscuring the truth, it usually means they’re more focused on winning an argument than on having a genuine discussion to get closer to the truth. Avoiding the effort to improve one's understanding is just plain laziness.

1. Facts are certain.
2. Beliefs can be certain or uncertain.
3. Opinions are uncertain (otherwise they would be facts).

Problems occur when people confuse those elements.