What you're stating isn't simply awareness, but also acting on that awareness.
For example, I'm a living example of a faulty human being who's aware of their flaws, yet does almost nothing about them. Whether they "chose" to "remain stupid" or "remain ignorant" is a judgment you may make, if you want, but to them, they simply made their decision for a specific reasoning they may think of as "justified".
It's dependent on what's objective and subjective, truth and opinion. Anyone can claim and ascertain a truth, but until universally proven, its a theory, or an opinion.
Back to how I'm such an example. I'm lazy, for one thing. It could be due to a lack of energy from apathy, or a drained motive to do things from outside interaction, a motive to rebel, or a desire to live comfortably. Whichever it is, I dont really do much about it.
One reasoning/perceived justification could be: Putting in effort you dont really have will take a toll on your body.
I'm also a fairly passive person. I tend to let things happen, instead of constantly enforcing strong statements or claims, or resisting, or basically just not reacting to anything in general.
It can be pretty inconvenient when someone's held hostage, since an officer most usually wouldnt back down and let everything happen by giving up or giving in.
But these things tend to be situational, not universal traits. So this tendency may not occur in a specific situation.
To be aware of that flaw, is different from acting on it, and to act on it all the time, is different from acting on it only when certain conditions are met.
Hmmm...
Another thing: If someone tells you to stop doing something, what people do can also depend on how serious, important, or superficial someone may think someething is. They may not stop for a perfectly fine reason. In this case, I assume you may just need to specify a bit more. What action are you dropping?
I rarely remember anyone claiming that they know everything.
and how do you not be a dick? Try not to initiate or react to anything, to avoid getting into unnecessary situations, respond if necessary so you dont come off as "cold" or "mean" for ignoring them, be generally friendly, dont be overconfident, try not to assert too much...
the list goes on, but in the sense that you dont in any way, shape, or form, become a dick by any singular aspect? That might be a bit difficult.
edit: woops I took this as a universal/general thing, forgot it was partially attached to the topic of these forums, anyways ill be going