“Enlightened” typically means to be free from ignorance and misinformation. It suggests a state of wisdom and understanding.
According to ChatGPT:
To be “enlightened” primarily involves the pursuit of intellectual growth and understanding. Enlightened individuals engage in critical thinking, rigorously question assumptions and analyze information to distinguish between fact and opinion. They embrace diversity of thought and remain open to new ideas and perspectives that enhance their understanding of the world.
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Additionally, enlightened individuals practice skeptical inquiry, valuing credible sources and evidence-based reasoning. This mindset not only sharpens their analytical skills but also empowers them to challenge established norms and beliefs. Ultimately, the intellectual aspect of enlightenment is about fostering a deep understanding of oneself and the world.
But in reality we will never be completely free ignorance and misinformation. And an enlightened person is aware of this. The best we can expect is to be less ignorant and better informed.
Being enlightenment is not an all or nothing state (of mind). It’s more of a continuum between relative ignorance on one hand and having broad and accurate knowledge on the other. And I don’t mean ignorance in a derogatory manner. We are all ignorant and misinformed in many/most areas of reality.
Ignorance is more often than not a product of our environment and the lack of opportunities it presents. For example, people in rural Afghanistan with no access to the internet or formal education, particularly women, can’t be held accountable for their relative ignorance and misinformation.
In most cases for the greater population of the world, it’s the fate of the average man to remain ignorant and unenlightened.