Hmmm for me its all about doing a job I enjoy.
If I had to save my butt everyday I come to work, I would do something different.
I think about these things outside the flightdeck, I believe that improving my understanding makes me a better pilot inside the flightdeck especially when confronted with non-normal circumstances that haven't been catered for by the litigation experts.
Obtaining a deeper understanding doesn't make you a danger to safety!
But if you like to see yourself as a dumb pilot, go ahead. I find that description wholly unsatisfactory.