We Know Almost Nothing



Posted: Saturday, September 27, 2008

by
Bigger Rainbows

Truths are remarkable things. We claim something is true, thus it is for a little while at least.

How many things do you really know? A thousand things? A million? How about a billion?

And of these things that you 'know', do you really know them? Or did someone else tell you that they were true or are they assumptions made after observations?

Facts and figures (true and false) are infinite. Even the best word smith, trivia buff or collegiate professor cannot honestly claim to know but a little knowledge. Common sense often helps us fill in the gaps between what we 'know' and what we can grasp, which definitely works in our favor. The truth about us and our limited knowledge does not have to be a hindrance to us, it should instead encourage us to grow and learn more about ourselves, our world, our universe, and the stuff we haven't even begun to name yet.

Consider this for just a moment;

1. The deeds of the great and the terrible are recorded according to whoever is most victorious in battle, should we really consider their perception as unbiased? The record of events is often times presented differently to different peoples of different countries and cultures, yet we are generally only exposed to the one deemed 'correct' by those currently in power. Was Hitler an evil person, or a great leader, or maybe even both? What would the classrooms be teaching today if he had been more successful in his endeavor of world domination?

2. Science, the great study of all things in a supposedly unbiased way, has often come to 'truths' that were flawed or wildly inaccurate as well. Is the world flat? What really happened to the dinosaurs? Is global warming real? Do aliens exist? Many 'truths' are expounded for these topics and millions of others, which are really true? Does popular belief constitute truth?

3. Ever heard of the 'new math'? Was the 'old math' wrong?

4. Americans are the best!! Have you ever asked peoples from another country what they think of Americans?

We obviously need to know things. History teaches us mistakes to avoid and challenges we must face. Science is simply a method of growth. It's ok for us to get it wrong, we are still learning as a whole. Facts, figures, and "truths" are all around us. Some might really be true, but many are flawed or biased. Sometimes it matters, other times it is sufficient as it is. Question the 'truths' that you hold and accept the true fact that you and 'they' might be wrong, and remember that's it's perfectly ok to be wrong (and you probably are...).

We know millions and billions of facts. Our knowledge is deep and rich.
At least we say it is .....

Tammy is the owner of Bigger Rainbows, a site devoted to encouraging growth and providing personal wisdom.
This Article has been viewed 54 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Val Silver
 3 years 135 days ago.
36 fans. Follow Val Silver on twitter!
Hi Tammy,

I totally agree with you and have pretty much come to the same conclusion!

As a matter of fact, I just submitted an article last week called Autumn and the Fall of our Lives that talks about this. So I guess we're on the same page. I'd love for you to read it and let me know what you think.

Val Silver
» left by Tammy Landreth 3 years 135 days ago.
4 fans.
I read your article (and suggest other do too!!).  We are definately on the same page.
 
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
 
Tammy
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.