Precisely. The contradiction comes full circle. Respect for the self doesn't start or stop based on intelligence. They'd prefer a world view that allows them to clearly draw a circle around themselves, declare freedom from uncertainty, and demand our eternal gratitude.
This isn't hard. Relationships, not capabilities, are fundamental.
Recently, a sign showed up in El Paso advertising San Francisco as a sanctuary city, as a great "own the libs," I suppose because SF would receive of applicants overwhelming their social service programs?
It didn't work.