Richard Feynman on "Not Knowing Things"
One of the unexpected benefits I experienced in letting go of religion was the joy of saying "I don't know". It was a tremendous relief to no longer have to feel (or appear to feel) so certain of things that were unknowable and likely untrue.
Feynman says it best, of course!
"I DON'T KNOW," are words that should be with us all the time. "I DON'T KNOW" is like an empty cup always ready to be filled with treasures. Whereas "I KNOW" (I have an answer for everything), is like a cup filled with worthless trash with no room left for that which is of value. "I DON'T KNOW" is the beginning of real knowledge.
He has a good take on it. I remember Bill Maher once shutting down a believer when she started out saying "let's suppose that you are hungry." Bill immediately replied "yes, but I am not hungry." My take on religious believers is that they think they are so much better than you because they have a book that spells out past, present, and future. I would say that it is OK not knowing and they just keep on making shit up.
I have his autobiography and so far i enjoy it...
IMHO Richard has been in my tops since I was much younger
This is always how Iβve felt. Iβve said it many times before...doubt is good, it is a sign of an open mind, whereas certainty, especially without proof, I find rather frightening.
Heβs always cool. I read one of his autobiographical books and was pretty amazed how down to earth he was.
@dleifallot it was what I like to call an easy read. Almost like reading pulp fiction in that every sentence is simple and straightforward with no grand overwhelming concepts to worry about. Hope you enjoy
Agree with this. Itβs amazing how religion teaches that it is 100% truth but no evidence to prove it
Not knowing doesnβt frighten me either. Itβs those who could not possibly know and yet present certainty that they do βknowβ that frighten me.
Feyman is sorely missed. Died 1988.
i adore feynman!
oddly, being raised a secular jew, "i don't know" was never forbidden; asking questions is part of the deal, actually. when i taught in japan, i told my students "i don't know" is a good answer if you've given something a bit of thought; "i don't know; let's find out!" is an even better answer.
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@dleifallot lol no doubt, no doubt! and better late than never, for sure!
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1.7320508..^2 cheers for βI donβt know; letβs find out.β