# Is ridicule an acceptable strategy in fighting ignorance? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 12, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ridicule-an-acceptable-strategy-in-fighting-ignorance/631273 "2012-08-12T16:00:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ridicule-an-acceptable-strategy-in-fighting-ignorance/631273/101 "2012-08-23T13:19:01Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That argument invalidates your own claim as to the nature of religion, the one I was responding to. What claim is that? ---
**Author:** ![MDKSquared](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ridicule-an-acceptable-strategy-in-fighting-ignorance/631273/102 "2012-08-23T13:29:56Z")
I am torn over this question. The problem is that many people who hold ignorant opinions strongly… didn’t arrive at those opinions through logic and reason, but likely emotional appeal. Therefore, ridicule doesn’t make such a person go, “Gee, you’re right!” but rather just cling onto their beliefs and argue back with even greater fervor, very defensively. At the same time, NOT ridiculing ignorant ideas gives them false status and credibility as valid counter-views. It may be the case that some people just can’t be persuaded to resolve their ignorance. I know quite a few that, even if you show them all the evidence in the world, will reject it and still hold their previous opinions. I think some people will just believe whatever they want, and you have to catch it early enough before those opinions settle in too deeply. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ridicule-an-acceptable-strategy-in-fighting-ignorance/631273.md?page=5)