The Iceberg of Knowledge

We take things for granted rather too much perhaps. Do we really know what makes the world tick, or do we just think so? Here are a few problems to bear in mind, alongside the assumptions.

As the human world has become more specialised, it has at the same time alienated individuals from the concepts and activities which surround them. How many can claim an in-depth knowledge of economics, computer technology, medicine, farming, house building and a hundred other crucial subjects, all at the same time? We have our own particular skills, and then crudely simplify our understanding of the rest. Relative ignorance is entirely normal.

Dominant political powers tend to generate a deep-seated set of beliefs, values and laws which can appear to be 'reality' to the general population. These cultural paradigms can often outlive generations under their spell, giving the impression of truth and permanency. History, however, has always shown this to be completely fallacious, with massive ideological upheavals, regularly turning once pre-eminent views to dust. So, how secure is the social world of 'knowledge' which surrounds us? Let us remember that the great advances of science and industry have now only served to bring the world to its knees!

There are, of course, many claims that noble truth should be righteously distinguished from fake news; a procedure which guarantees sound knowledge. But is it so simple? Are we really born equal? Do we always get the society we vote for? Do we even get a vote on huge cultural changes? Is it not possible that disinformation flows as easily from esteemed institutions as it does from scurrilous critics?

Perhaps more so.

Finally, there is one minor point to add here. Every human endeavour produces inevitable contradictions. There has never been sustained historical agreement in science, art, politics or philosophy. Even the big bang is looking shaky at the moment, nobody knows why the cosmos exists, rockets explode, longstanding human problems of war, disease and meaning, remain unresolved.

It is a poor sort of knowledge, this thing we boast of..