The Book of Proverbs contains many passages that warn the reader to either steer clear of, or to avoid becoming, a mocker. There is some serious stuff here. For example:
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. (Proverbs 9:7)
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:8)
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. (Proverbs 9:12)
A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. (Proverbs 15:12)
The proud and arrogant man–“Mocker” is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. (Proverbs 21:24)
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. (Proverbs 22:10)
The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker. (Proverbs 24:9)
The idea is that a mocker, due to a combination of intellectual arrogance and cynicism, is essentially unteachable.
How sad.
This is why every semester I frontload a couple of my courses with a lecture in which I present the following chart which depicts four very different learning attitudes:
I tell my students that I’m hoping they will choose to spend the semester with me endeavoring to function as “critical” thinkers and learners. While I don’t want to indoctrinate them, it is my hope that they will at least have an open mind and be willing to have their worldviews tweaked.
I’m thinking that this is an issue all of us need to think about from time to time. Am I still a learner? Am I willing to have my worldview tweaked? To what degree am I dedicated to the truth?
The wold has enough mockers. I am committed to doing my best to remain a humble, eager, life-long learner. How about you?
Something to think about.
