I spend a great deal of time learning things. I read a lot and browse the internet. I like to talk and discuss. The evening news is always of interest to me. I love history and learning the secrets of the past. Today however I am thinking about the things I would rather not know. Do you have things you would rather not know about ? Not knowing is a good thing sometimes, isn't it ? That is why the saying, ignorance is bliss. Ignorance is just a lack of knowledge and not a measure of intelligence. That distinction is lost a lot in today's world. It is really a matter of semantics. So I don't mind admitting that I am ignorant about some issues. The only question is, should I be content with that ignorance ? Unless I determine I can make a difference I certainly don't see any reason I shouldn't be. The problem lies in I have to educate myself before I can make that determination. Another paradox in life. Oh, what to do.
It is a lifetime of learning that makes us what we are today. The thing is some of us only continue to learn the things that reaffirm our previously acquired knowledge. We are reluctant to change what we considered facts. So, some of us remain ignorant, blissfully so. I can say in all honesty that is not the case with me. I admit to being ignorant but I am not " blissful " about it. I have doubts and fears like everyone else. My mind is open to new ideas and concepts. That doesn't mean I will adopt them though and that is where the discomfort may enter. Do I have sufficient knowledge to make a determination ? No one can " know it all " but how much is enough ? How can that be measured ? The first thought that comes to mind is by the acquisition of degrees. Degrees of knowledge ? A curious practice really. Can knowledge be measured ? Certainly it can be compared to a standard. Who defines the standard ? That is problematic. A phrase my father often used comes to mind, " I have met a lot of educated damn fools " and I understand that sentiment all too well. That is the distinction between knowledge and intelligence. That leads us to the question of fools. What is a fool ? A person that is foolish in their thoughts or actions. Unwise is another way of saying that. It is wisdom that is the true measure of intelligence. How to measure that ? I think that wisdom can only be measured by the countenance of the person being measured. The wise person displays a calm and composed countenance. They do not act rashly or impulsively, rather rationally and with thought. I believe the wise person is a happy person. Peace accompanies wisdom. They walk hand in hand. Perhaps ignorance can contribute to that wisdom, that peace. In that case wouldn't ignorance be a good thing ? Yes it very well may be but also it may be a missed opportunity for change and subsequent growth.
With that thought, I ask another question. Is all growth good ? That is the general perception. Still some growth is not all that great. Like a diseased limb on a tree it should be pruned. To embrace the disease simply as new growth would be a tragic mistake. Perhaps a mistake made with the best intentions, one made with an openness of spirit, but one made in error nonetheless. That determination is the process of wisdom.
I would have to conclude that the acquisition of knowledge is a good thing. Knowledge is only useful for the purpose it was intended, to increase wisdom. So we should strive to learn everything we can and not remain ignorant. We should use the wisdom gained to prune the diseased portions from our lives. What we are left with is peace. Happiness is peace in our lives and in our hearts. The thing is, there are things I have no interest in at all. I don't know if I could make a difference in those areas or not and I don't care. That attitude seems a bit inconsistent with my previous statements. A bit of an ambiguity. I'll have to consider that.
It is a lifetime of learning that makes us what we are today. The thing is some of us only continue to learn the things that reaffirm our previously acquired knowledge. We are reluctant to change what we considered facts. So, some of us remain ignorant, blissfully so. I can say in all honesty that is not the case with me. I admit to being ignorant but I am not " blissful " about it. I have doubts and fears like everyone else. My mind is open to new ideas and concepts. That doesn't mean I will adopt them though and that is where the discomfort may enter. Do I have sufficient knowledge to make a determination ? No one can " know it all " but how much is enough ? How can that be measured ? The first thought that comes to mind is by the acquisition of degrees. Degrees of knowledge ? A curious practice really. Can knowledge be measured ? Certainly it can be compared to a standard. Who defines the standard ? That is problematic. A phrase my father often used comes to mind, " I have met a lot of educated damn fools " and I understand that sentiment all too well. That is the distinction between knowledge and intelligence. That leads us to the question of fools. What is a fool ? A person that is foolish in their thoughts or actions. Unwise is another way of saying that. It is wisdom that is the true measure of intelligence. How to measure that ? I think that wisdom can only be measured by the countenance of the person being measured. The wise person displays a calm and composed countenance. They do not act rashly or impulsively, rather rationally and with thought. I believe the wise person is a happy person. Peace accompanies wisdom. They walk hand in hand. Perhaps ignorance can contribute to that wisdom, that peace. In that case wouldn't ignorance be a good thing ? Yes it very well may be but also it may be a missed opportunity for change and subsequent growth.
With that thought, I ask another question. Is all growth good ? That is the general perception. Still some growth is not all that great. Like a diseased limb on a tree it should be pruned. To embrace the disease simply as new growth would be a tragic mistake. Perhaps a mistake made with the best intentions, one made with an openness of spirit, but one made in error nonetheless. That determination is the process of wisdom.
I would have to conclude that the acquisition of knowledge is a good thing. Knowledge is only useful for the purpose it was intended, to increase wisdom. So we should strive to learn everything we can and not remain ignorant. We should use the wisdom gained to prune the diseased portions from our lives. What we are left with is peace. Happiness is peace in our lives and in our hearts. The thing is, there are things I have no interest in at all. I don't know if I could make a difference in those areas or not and I don't care. That attitude seems a bit inconsistent with my previous statements. A bit of an ambiguity. I'll have to consider that.
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