Dishonesty vs Unknowledgeable, Objective Differences |2020

Dishonesty vs Unknowledgeable, What’s The Difference?

This isn’t about a certain topic, but an overall notation of the differences between being dishonest (aka lying) vs being unknowledgeable (aka not knowing something). There’s a huge difference.

Let’s start with the definitions of the two words.

Dishonesty
Dishonesty is to act without honesty. It is used to describe a lack of probity, cheating,[1] lying, or deliberately withholding information, or being deliberately deceptive or a lack in integrity, knavishness, perfidiosity, corruption or treacherousness.

Unknowledgeable
Unaware because of a lack of relevant information or knowledge; “he was completely ignorant of the circumstances”; “an unknowledgeable assistant”; “his rudeness was unwitting”

The reason I am highlighting “Dishonesty vs Unknowledgeable” topic is simple:

If I asked you a question about a topic that you may or may not know something about, and your answer was not accurate, are you lying, or do you just not know?”

And therein is the problem. The intent of the answer to the question can both be dishonest and unknowledgeable at the same time.

One may or may not know the subject matter and therefore can answer falsely, but it is the intent that is the differentiation between dishonesty and unknowledgeable.

There is an additional level of bias that is placed on the question so that the answer can be framed in such a manner as to make the other party look bad.

Typically it’s used to call smear someone as a liar vs that they don’t know what they’re talking about. Politics 101.

Just because you don’t know the answer to a question, that does not make you a liar. It is your intent in the answer that should dictate the verbiage used.