Question No. 2965 31 August 2022 Official answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat) verified Content level: Intermediate

Which Forces of Ignorance Lie at the Root of These Bad Traits?

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Dear questioner, Master Ali Saei

Tracking code: #Q-2965

Dear teacher, could you please help me identify the roots of the things I’m about to list and tell me which forces of ignorance they stem from? I’ve thought about them a great deal, but I can’t find their underlying roots:
1. Not respecting other people’s turns
2. Wanting people to show favoritism toward us, which in effect means violating other people’s rights
3. Taking revenge on others
4. Deliberately doing harm—that is, causing harm to others
5. Failing to appreciate others’ efforts
6. Mocking others
Thank you.

Subject category: Ethics and Spirituality Epistemological

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Failing to respect others’ turns and showing favoritism stem from the force of injustice among the forces of ignorance. Taking revenge stems from the force of vengeance; deliberately doing harm, from the force of evil; failing to appreciate others’ efforts, from the force of ingratitude; and mocking others, from the force of aggression. These are opposed to the forces of reason.

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural Center

The troops of reason are bases and powerhouses for noble qualities, each encompassing a set of virtuous traits. In effect, each governs a particular domain of virtues and fine moral qualities. The same applies to the troops of ignorance: each serves as a powerhouse, a base and a governor over its own particular set of traits.

“1—Failing to respect other people’s place in line” and “2—Using connections to show favoritism and depriving others of their rights” may be placed under “justice and its opposite, injustice.”

“Taking revenge on others” may be placed under “forbearance and its opposite, vengeance.”

“4—Doing harm in a severe manner—that is, causing injury to others” may be placed under “goodness, which is the minister of reason, and its opposite, evil.”

“5—Failing to appreciate the efforts of others” may be placed under “gratitude and its opposite, ingratitude.”

“6—Mocking others” may be placed under “moderation and its opposite, aggression.”

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Which Forces of Ignorance Lie at the Root of These Bad Traits?

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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