Notes on Knowledge and the Pursuit of Ideas
Those who do ask a question may be
fools for five minutes, those who will not ask questions are fools
forever
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Notes on Knowledge and the Pursuit of Ideas
The pursuit of
knowledge and ideas, if
systematically and objectively engaged in, will irrevocably change you, as an individual,
if you are thus prepared to open your mind to the world, and to new
ideas and knowledge perspectives beyond mere human cultures and their
preoccupations, as well as beyond yours, and others, personal or shared
preconceptions. You
will then become
different, even alienated, from many of your immediate peers who are
not so similarly inclined, and you will also outgrow your early
teachers and mentors as time passes.
So,
you will need to seek new peers and teachers, and even the most
favourite of mentors will be subject to your more knowledgeable
scrutiny. Your
special interest fields will be further discerned, and that may include
career choices as well. Your
world will become larger, and yet smaller, but a new and more
interesting perspective and world view will be acquired if you
constantly question, probe, enquire, and both quantitatively and
qualitatively assess all aspects of life, matter, and knowledge.
You
may even be alienated from many, including family and contemporaries,
while at the same time, if fortunate enough, you will gain more peers
in your growing interest fields. Auto-didacticism
is a difficult pursuit, and often slow and unbalanced in practice and
in quality, so be active with comparative
learning involving peers at any level, and irrespective of whether or
not tertiary learning and experience are immediately possible. You will never
learn all there is to know, but motivation maintained will ensure that
your horizons of knowledge, practical or theoretical, will also never
be limited, and that your mental faculties and talents will always be
extended and tested. The
more you will
learn, the more that you will become aware of what you do not know;
many never do face this inevitable knowledge conundrum, but the
possession of true intellectual integrity demands that you must accept
this most important reality. In addition, you must always be
fearlessly and rigorously prepared to confront and revise your own
motives and ideals as part of such a reality.
Always
keep the good company, if or when possible, of those whose intellectual
horizons transcend the merely petty, the immediately personal, or just
the endlessly commonplace. The greatest minds, such as
Einstein’s, always know the value of sharing and expanding ideas,
using language to test, clarify, and shape these ideas, and cherishing
the contact and stimulation of interested and engaged peers, without
fear or favour. The most important part of any good advancing
education is the tutorial system, of critiquing of ideas by peers, that
likewise embraces this most useful and intellectually stimulating
principle.
Identify
and avoid those who apply principles of negative intellectual
competition for doubtful vested interests, beyond just the fair
assertion of intellectual property, attribution, or patent, often with
recourse to spurious rules, philosophies, or creeds, determined on
sequestering or suppressing ideas, seeing only that knowledge and
ideas, or lack of them, are to be maintained merely as sources of
personal or group power. Likewise, avoid the company of those
who
so pointlessly insist on learning the hard way.
They
are always 're-inventing the wheel' through mental laziness or
attitudes of protracted ignorance, thus foregoing the rich harvest of
human knowledge that has already been laid by for the benefit of all,
or, even utilising the immediate insights and help of those close by,
the ‘fresh eyes’ that would see a particular task
differently, and so provide an easier and more expeditious means of
undertaking its implementation.
Even
more lamentable are those who would wilfully destroy knowledge and
ideas out of sheer fear, superstition, and ignorance; only their
‘leaders’, if at all educable, should be fruitfully
influenced to accept a wider view of real life. The greatest
strengths of human intelligence are pattern recognition, and, pattern
application, but sadly these talents are subverted to base means by
those who cannot live with the fact that all of knowledge, at any one
time, will never be subsumed within one system of expeditious answers
and explanations, thus suffering what could only be described as
'pattern anxiety', certainly a most disastrous personality
trait when manifested by those in positions of
leadership.
Indeed, wars and other dark human actions, including for the
unscrupulous pursuit of vested interests, are often justified by
enforcing this pattern anxiety upon others, individually, collectively,
and culturally, and the continuing subsistence of such
anti-intellectual ideas and motives still remain major
obstacles
to coherent human social and intellectual development.
Far
better that you, as an individual, embrace with enthusiasm the plain
fact the search for knowledge, ideas, and understanding is limitless,
that your human brain, if used to its full potential, must deal with
reconciling what is known with the sheer span of what is yet to be
known, and that what you do know must constantly remain under review
for all of your life, and this applies to all human beings who are at
least capable of recognising these facts, and then acting
constructively, rather than destructively, to meet and deal with the
challenges that this recognition will always bring.
Be
prepared to seek geographical relocation, if you must, to maintain your
objective intellectual integrity and freedoms of speech and expression
even if this means reviewing and revising personal and cultural ties.
Just as an athlete would say, in the pursuit of their own
particular endeavours, that there can be no real gain without some real
pain, so too, new levels of intellectual accomplishment must always be
attempted, and new sources of knowledge interchange and experience must
always be actively sought, even if at some immediate personal or
material cost. Likewise, age will inevitably exact a toll,
both
mentally and physically, without due care and exercising of all
faculties, so, 'use it or lose' it will always apply to extending the
use of intellectual as well as physical capabilities.
Master
the new technology of information processing, as well as the more
traditional skills of knowledge acquisition, to aid with tackling the
sheer bulk of data and sources increasingly available as this evermore
pervasive information technology continues to grow. Also,
continue to hone your skills of search and discernment as well as that
of applied commonsense, so that your research is always rigorous,
comparative, objective, and implemented with sensible economies of
scale.
Be
aware, too, that the pursuit of knowledge, ideas, and experience, by
whatever means, will lead to the discovery of the bad as well as the
good, and increased consciousness of new responsibilities of the burden
of this knowledge, even to the extent of being a default conscience for
the actions of others. But ask yourself, then, is the
alternative, i.e., intellectual, worldly, and practical ignorance,
really such bliss? Change and/or improve what you sensibly
can,
but, also accept that human intransigence, stupidity, and cupidity,
will always continue to manifest, so conserve your best efforts for
pursuing more optimal and fruitful outcomes. Also be aware
that
if you ever had the habit of using your own
intelligence, then
by not further acknowledging this intelligence it will never let you
rest again, no matter how you would try to deny the impulse to learn,
or even to be merely curious!
Life
is also an ongoing intellectual and ideational journey for those who
can face this prospect, others may, early on in this journey, quail at
the prospective burden of endless understanding and enquiry, and settle
for the intellectual limitations of immediate needs, or peer group
norms and more easily attained social acceptance.
For
those who do continue this life’s journey of enquiry, do try to
use knowledge and ideas gained for universal good, however, and
wherever, this may be defined at the time.
Remember
always to maintain a sense of purpose and observation that includes
details of everyday life, as well as grander visions and future
interesting by-ways, and do not lose sight of the enjoyment of the
richness and contentment that ordinary everyday life, so often
enjoyable, can bring. In
addition, should you wish to test your own understanding of whatever
you have learned, and, how well you really do
understand as opposed to merely ‘knowing’, you should then try to teach
others. Such
an exercise is a generational human duty, anyway, and never onerous if
the knowledge is eagerly sought by those of whom you would gladly
teach, whenever the need or opportunity arose.
A
strong and heterogeneous culture of reasoning and enquiry is just as
important for ongoing human destiny as the evolution of a larger brain,
because without strong culture, that larger human brain quickly and
dangerously begins to misuse intelligence, and the fruitful pursuit of
knowledge and ideas is soon subverted to less creditable ends. Anarchy and atavism are
always just below the surface of human affairs, the origin of our
species, indeed. As
we so often have found to our collective cost, culture can be
dismantled in a generation if not strongly supported by open-minded
reason and cultural and knowledge exchanges.
At
more personal or community levels, intelligence and talents not
nurtured by comparative educational opportunity and shared resources
are not only sadly wasted, but, in turn, may nurture discontent,
anomie, and active ill-will. Humans
are easily lulled into credulousness, and when persuaded not to think
will soon oblige, with all-too-predictable results.
Closed minds then become uneducable minds, and expedient
scapegoating soon undermines commonsense social responsibilities. Whither then the larger,
sapient, brain?
So,
always continue to pursue knowledge, to learn, and to actively resist
intellectual stultification, whilst still accepting all the trials and
triumphs that go with pursuing such endeavours! Your example,
as
well as your active involvement in these issues, will always be of
greatest importance in human affairs, individually and
collectively. Whole
societies have fallen,
and will continue to fall, when there is no
'intellectual wheel’ to push against, when natural
curiosity, native wit, and natural intelligence, are stunted and
channelled into more banal and mundane pursuits other than those of
ideas and knowledge. The greatest
of cultures are
weakened by complacency, and devaluing the pursuit of knowledge and
ideas by replacing these with mere entertainment and spectacle, in the
sadly mistaken belief that material comfort and well-being of the
moment signifies some pinnacle of cultural achievement. Culture, as
social cement, and paradigm for stability and sensible progress, then
becomes dangerously debased and vulnerable to the worst of human
motives and vested interests.
Note,
too, that the future of intellectual capital also resides in your
children, so foster this capital by good and early examples of inquiry,
debate, self-expression, and healthy scepticism, as well as purely
scholastic endeavours. Humans
always have,
and still must continue, to live by their wits, and always with regard
to rising above their own atavistic nature and origin. We
should increasingly have the added advantage of optimally accumulated
and consolidated knowledge, with organised and comparative education,
plus commonsense use of hindsight and foresight, but only if that
uniquely large brain also has optimal use. Most importantly,
investing it this human intellectual and cultural capital for the
future really begins with responsiblity of setting an example to the
child at your knee, so that this investment will continue to
include the young adult who will, in turn, purposefully and most
willingly make time to continue to share your company and your table.
Finally, for those of us who were never born into the genius class, be assured that any brain used to its fullest potential or capabilities is more valuable to the world than a 'better' brain that is ill- or lazily used, and any individual, genius or otherwise, with a well-utilised brain used primarily for original thikning, is also better company, both for themselves as well as for others, not least because of tending to have a more balanced and practical world view. As well, the very best of company, and in the best of all possible times, involves good friends with lively and balanced intellects, enjoying a leisurely meal, with accompanying libations, conversations, and debate, involving varied shared interests, either purely intellectual, or, more worldly in nature. May you often enjoy this most civilised state of affairs, and in turn, set a lasting personal example of optimal curiosity, and, considered intelligent debate, for yet another rising human generation! (See also Education in the Age of the Computer)
10 Problems of Knowledge
1)
Concerning human limitations and frailty; all possible
knowledge will
not fit in one small head, plus, age overtakes, and memory fails, thus,
knowledge acquisition is an exercise that must be practiced from an
early age,
so that the mind is always ready, and, the brain is always optimally
operational, regardless of age. Being
born into a house full of useful books is an advantage.
Healthy living definitely
helps, and, that begins in the womb, given
sensible parents, plus,
fortuitously appropriate genes for both intelligence and longevity as
well.
2)
It is always necessary to deal with bad news as well as
good, thus, the
continual quest for comparative education and knowledge can, or should,
only be
optimally practiced by those best able to deal with this reality. Note that
compartmentalised minds are seldom
troubled by these considerations.
3)
Acquisition of knowledge is not always easy, nor does it
always confer
pleasure or satisfaction, and, personal limitations of understanding
should
always be accommodated. Accordingly,
that which must be learned is often not as enjoyable as that which is
voluntarily and willingly learned.
Also,
there must always be a basic core of expedient knowledge maintained to
support
mundane and routine activities, plus, personal interactions, in
everyday
life. Inconvenient,
certainly,
nevertheless mostly necessary.
4)
Ideally, knowledge should always be sought, gained, and
utilized,
without fear or favour. Naturally, caution and commonsense should be
practiced
in this regard, so, in given problematical circumstances, be sure to
always
survive to learn, inform, and/or teach, another day.
Time and place are always important considerations.
Note that stress diminution and/or stress avoidance are also part of
healthy
living and learning.
5)
The more one knows, the more there
is to know, and, a balanced mind is also necessary to deal with this
reality. Knowledge
is infinite, thus,
the capacity for objectively processing facts must be matched by the
ability to
search constructively and comparatively, as well as accommodating
potential
need for the change and enlargement of a personal knowledge base. Scheduled rest periods,
with some physical
exercise, are advisable.
6)
There is a difference between truth
and fact, and, objective knowledge is ultimately the most valuable. All knowledge is relative
as regards rating
of usefulness and validity, and, self-knowledge should be included in
this
description. Thus, self-introspection should be regularly practiced, as
well as
maintaining the ongoing mental agility required for rigorous
intellectual
self-adjustment.
7)
Not everyone is truly curious, not everyone can cope with
changing
reality, not everyone wants to share knowledge, so, beware wasting of
time on
unreasoned arguments, willful obfuscation, or, just countering pattern
anxieties. Thus,
careful choices of
questions, as well as of intellectual company, including that of
intellectual
adversaries, are all strongly advised.
Most
people react more positively to questions if you appear less
intellectually
able than they are, and, will usually speak more slowly and clearly as
a
result.
9)
The brain is a biochemical entity, not a computer, so, to
keep the mind
fresh and flexible in the quest for knowledge, select and change
learning
topics as required. Intelligence
is also
wasted if not used optimally, plus, any brain used optimally is
potentially
more useful in the search for, and application of, useful knowledge
than a
better brain used lazily and/or badly. Thus, always seek out
intellectually
honest peers, or better, whenever practicable.
Time and place are also important considerations.
10)
Human affairs are ephemeral at best, and, the only
knowledge that will
still be relevant, beyond inevitable human demise, is that portion of
human
enquiry relating to the knowledge of the workings of the physical and
natural
worlds, and, of the Universe itself, which will still endlessly cycle
on when
all humans are gone. Note
also that this
is never a universally popular consideration.
Use It Or Lose it!
IQ
aka ‘Intelligence Quotient’ as
a viable measure of
general intelligence has a varied and not always well-intentioned
history, even
having, at times, been subverted to serve vested interests. Indeed, ‘intelligence’ has
been described as
merely a measure of what has actually been tested for, and this is
probably the
most accurate rating.
As
far as IQ boundaries are concerned, the human brain is an
electrochemical
entity whose operation is based on, and within, physiological
components and
constraints, as well as overseeing many processes including the pursuit
of
ideas, as part of normal life, and, responding, on occasion, to IQ
testing.
Humans
can never be as single-minded as a computer, especially a stationary
one, which
actually means an added dimension the development of AI and robots,
because, if
mobile, these entities will need to devote resources, as do humans,
both
physical and intellectual, to environmental coping, if not actual
homeostasis.
Sensory input has to be analysed and acted upon, digestion and
digestion are
supervised, consciously or unconsciously, hormones run their errands,
and,
ambient conditions as well as physical activity are also part of the
homeostatic condition, for brain as well as corporeal self.
Also,
human neuro-networks have infinite association capabilities, albeit
with finite
speeds, both being governed by physiology, albeit being influenced by
age and
state of health. Our
silicon-based
computers and robots, on the other hand, have infinite speed of
processing,
but, as yet, physical limits to connectivity, although neural networks
for
computers and robotics are being developed. Whether the present gaps
between
human and computer performance can be narrowed, in these respects, is
still in
the future.
Meanwhile,
human management of
intelligence has some guiding principles,
both for self, and also, if bearing
responsibility for overseeing the intellectual/IQ development of others. Latent abilities are an
advantage, and easier
to develop, but, general training in these principle characteristics of
IQ will
still be of benefit to any interested and motivated individual, or
teacher.
Therefore, IQ is dependant on these following factors, whether
intrinsically
strong as part of overall genetic endowment, or else, identified as
being
facets of individual development, and consequently being further
trained and/or
developed, thus:
1)
Whatever IQ is present can always be further strengthened and
developed, even
if not to an infinite degree, especially by continually laying down and
reinforcing neural pathways, ie, use it or lose it, and from an early
age..
2)
High degree and flexibility of neural connections, as characterises a
‘quick’
mind,
6)
Passive learning, whether ‘infotainment’ or otherwise, will never be as
successful as active learning, which is of major importance for early
learning. Intelligence
unused will be a
source of personal discontent, especially if environment and cultural
milieu
change.
12)
High associative rate as well as pattern recognition and application
rate,
14)
Pattern recognition capacity, and capacity to remember and recall at
will,
15)
Memory, both short and long-term, and active learning and remembering
abilities,
19)
All-round intelligence, or else, possessed of commonsense with positive
trade-offs,
20)
Balanced intelligence and personality, self awareness and
self-judgement,
21)
Capacity to organise thoughts, and thus productive activity as regards
learning
and problem-solving,
22)
Knowing the difference between cunning and
intelligence, understanding proper use and scope of applied
intelligence,
applying ratiocination rather than rationalisation,
23)
Awareness of, and response to, intelligence in others, having an
aesthetic
sense of well-used and well-balanced intelligence, in self and in others
26)
Application of reason, logic, planning, heuristics, and organisational
talents,
for directed problem-solving,
28)
Understanding the importance of a prepared mind, being observant and
vigilant,
and also, being able to command extensive abilities of pattern
recognition and
recall.
30)
Ability and motivation to develop special talents or skills, especially
in
relation to overcoming the deprivation, of or damage to, any sensory
abilities, and/or other
physical or mental limitations.