Ignorance

In this chapter, the insight that mistrust is based on certain knowledge gaps serves as the starting point for examining non-knowledge and ignorance within the justice system. The theoretical discussions on ignorance and non-knowledge are first reflected upon, including their methodological implications. Recognizing the justice system as a knowledge-producing institution, the chapter then explores legal professionals' perceptions of others' non-knowledge, their own positioning within knowledge dynamics, and the significant fields of non-knowledge they encounter in their work environment. Various types of legal knowledge—theoretical, practical, and social—are examined alongside their limitations. The empirical findings highlight that legal professionals uphold a regime of ignorance, positioning themselves as experts with superior knowledge, while viewing the public as uninformed or misinformed about the legal system. This expertise secures their employment and social status. Despite acknowledging the natural limits of knowledge, legal professionals are unsettled by intentionally created fields of ignorance, fearing the loss of their own intellectual superiority. They perceive human agency, particularly powerful actors, as sources of manipulation, reinforcing a pervasive sense of insignificance within the justice system.