The conflict of knowledge

Learning is a part of life. A part that many people are bound to go through at one point or another and to be honest there is a beauty in the acquisition of knowledge that makes life worth living. From the simple act of learning how to speak as a baby to the advanced stages of stringing notes together to create music or complex formulas, the process can be something to be admired. In our society it also proves to be something quite revered. But what happens when one takes it upon themselves and thinks they have acquired all there is to know?

In a recent article I read about a study that was conducted where it was proven that people who viewed themselves as experts in a specific field became close-minded. It was also hinted that these same people were vulnerable to overstating the knowledge they had. How very curious this is, especially when you consider that these people are the ones who should ‘know better’.

It isn’t uncommon for those with the expertise and knowledge that the majority do not have to often be associated with being arrogant and I wonder if this might not be the case and if so why is it that people find the need to put forth an image of such a polished and perfect nature? What drives them to such extremes that it corners their minds to the point where it closes off from reason? Truthfully I think the answer lies in the value that society has placed on the knowledge. After all, the saying does ring pretty clearly; knowledge is power.

And therein lay the crux of the problem for these people who boast more knowledge than they likely have. The belief that they have attained enough knowledge seems to give them a perceived power over the next person, or at least that is what society has raised them to believe. So sure are they in their expertise and influence that they have become close-minded in thinking outside the box. Which is very ironic when you consider the fact that such creative and out of bounds thinking is what advances knowledge in the first place, something the article goes on to state further.

It can’t be denied that knowledge is the foundation of our society as it builds and transforms it on a near constant basis. However, it cannot be forgotten that this precious resource can be relatively flexible as it changes and evolves along with those whom it inspires and that which was once known yesterday can be just as easily forgotten today as things not know before can be discovered. Because of this it should always be considered that nothing is ever truly known, regardless of expertise or assumed knowledge.

Taking into consideration all this, it makes sense to keep an open mind and a dampened ego when approaching the advancement of knowledge. That way the value society has so richly placed on this resource can be just as richly earned and safely kept without any fear of it being questioned or its returns diminished.