Knowledge is a blessing, but it can also be a curse. While we often focus on the benefits knowledge can bring and the human desire to know, we seldom consider the ways human beings may actively choose not knowing. Some may prefer ignorance. They give good reasons. I'm reminded of C-3PO's attempt to tell Han Solo the odds of successfully navigating an asteroid field. Han would rather not know the odds. Han senses such knowledge would inhibit his reactions as a pilot, increasing the probability of a crash.

Lilla considers the will to ignorance as a historian of ideas. He surveys many of the great thinkers. His presentation includes ideas contained in various religious traditions. He explores this question from the perspective of psychology and philosophy. He considers ancient myth. He examines our desire for truth and our resistance to it. He names the stakes, and acknowledges this is a very human problem.

I enjoyed reading this book., As a religious educator, I disagreed with some of Lilla's exegetical conclusions in his treatment of the biblical text. I do not share his opinion of Paul. But I nonetheless found this presentation as illuminating of the human condition. I most deeply appreciate the scope of this study, which spans the history of thought, engaging multiple fields of inquiry. Intelligent, interesting, and persuasive. I recommend this book.

In IGNORANCE AND BLISS: ON WANTING NOT TO KNOW, Mark Lilla delves into foundational texts of philosophy, religion and literature in the Western tradition and mines them for personal and cultural insights. We can never truly know ourselves and, over the centuries, have modeled ways of confronting or fleeing the truth. Some of the commentary is fascinating; for instance, the difference between Odysseus’ homecoming and Aeneas’ faux-coming, with Virgil’s poem still providing a model for “civilization repetition.” Lilla’s analysis of the apostle Paul is worth the cost of the book. Every chapter contained material of great interest and originality.

My only caveat is the overarching idea, whether or how or when ignorance or bliss are at play, voluntary or not, did not provide the necessary structure. My opinion, only. What would have helped is a preface written by someone who grappled only with the stated topic of the book— a personal reflection, so to speak. No tangents, however interesting, allowed.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a pretty good essay about ignorance. Whether ignorance is good or bad, it is a comprehensive study to know what is defining ignoracnce and is it truly a bliss for many people. We will know it after we read this book.