ignorantsus

Ignorantsus is a neologism used in philosophy, rhetoric, and media studies to describe a hypothetical agent whose hallmark is persistent epistemic negligence: ignoring reliable evidence, dismissing counterarguments, and clinging to unsupported beliefs. It functions as a label for a mode of thinking rather than a specific group.

Etymology: Latin-like construction "ignorant" + "-sus," modeled after Latin taxonomic names, not a real organism. In scholarly discussions, ignorantsus is treated as a conceptual taxon to discuss cognitive biases and political epistemology.

Characteristics: reliance on motivated reasoning, selective exposure to information, distrust of expert consensus, and resistance to corrective information. It often emerges in contexts of polarized issues, misinformation, or networks that reinforce falsehoods.

In practice: The term is used in analyses of public discourse and in debates about science communication. It is employed to critique arguments that systemically disregard evidence rather than to belittle individuals.

Criticism: The term may stigmatize individuals and oversimplify complex cognitive processes; it should be used descriptively and with care to avoid dehumanization or mischaracterization. Alternatives include describing specific epistemic practices (e.g., motivated reasoning) rather than labeling people.