The Dark Side Of Knowledge
Ignorance is a bliss.
I have always been an avid reader of everything within my reach. It started very early in school when nothing in the library could satisfy the thirst I had for books. I used to borrow something to read from the library before classes start, read through it when the teacher was not looking and in between classes aiming to finish it mid day. Then borrow another to take home with me and read. When I began to get hints that it is reaching an unhealthy stage, I hid library books in between assignments/homework and pretended I am working for school when in actual fact I was reading.
That went throughout my schooling years until I graduated. The choice of topics I read did not follow a set pattern; science, mathematics, politics, fiction and various other things. The desire for an explanation for everything manifested itself most in my appetite for electronics. I had an indescribable pleasure dismantling something apparently complicated into its original components, understand how they integrate and work in harmony and putting it back together.
When I traveled to UK, I quit reading for a couple of years and other things kept my mind occupied. Then the need for explanations was once more awakened. I vividly remember the urge to find a meaning to the world; where we come from, why we are, and where we are going. I dwelled unto religion, philosophy and cosmic physics until it became an obsession. It affected my sleep, my studies and my health. But unlike everything else, I could not get to the bottom of it. The deeper I dug, the deeper it got and every time I felt a solid physical understanding in my mind, I was quick to see there is something beyond it, more profound and more powerful that held the meaning to all and when I had a glimpse of that, there was even more beyond it. I finally gave up and realized it is way out of my reach.
There is no question that this affected the way I have been making decisions. My thinking, most of the time, functions on a set of principles and yes/no diagrams that have been refined through the years. In most instances, this has proven to be an advantageous way to approach every problem. Occasionally, however, the matrix of logic in my head falls apart and fails me, pathing the way for me to be pushed into very tight corners by none other than myself. There were a handful of times before where sound unquestionable logic led me to dramatic failures.
Knowledge, categorizing and desire to understand bring dilemmas, dilemmas and more dilemmas into my life.
May 24th, 2005 at 5:25 am
If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered on a ten-foot chain.
it’s a known fact that majority of all answers we get in persue of knowledge will trigger more intriguing questions.. the more you dig as you mentioned the more complex things are..
and they are inifinite.. that’s how i view knowledge..
Knowledge isn’t only found in books. It’s in all these experiences, thoughts and events that take place. The ones found in books are just lucky enough to have been published. =) ask my grandpa.. he knows best..
Interesting topic e3ashig.. thought provoking..
May 24th, 2005 at 7:58 am
Welcome back & very interesting topic e3ashig :)
“An Investment in Knowledge always pays the best interest”
May 24th, 2005 at 9:48 am
“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
There is much more than just getting academic credit and receiving your diploma and degree. Yes, the bucket will be filled; but it’s not about the bucket remember!!
There are a very few individuals in our surroundings who actually seek knowledge as an objective and are in pursuit of understanding and finding answers to satisfy their deepest questions.
It’s when you quench your thirst for education with books and knowledge that you are eventually attained to wisdom. Congratulations e3ashig for possessing such a rare quality.
May 24th, 2005 at 12:27 pm
Ignorance is a bliss* ;)
I dont have a reply that is *sophisticated* enough. All I can say is Welcome back online.
May 24th, 2005 at 8:26 pm
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May 24th, 2005 at 9:38 pm
Ignorance is a bless.
[sigh]
May 25th, 2005 at 7:35 am
You know what this reminded me of… When the Prophet (9allah Allah 3aleih w sallam) used to tell the unbelievers as well as the believers that they shouldn’t ask too many questions, if the answer was found out then there would be no mystery and thus no interest.
Non-stop interrogations can lead to blasphemy; thus, being satisfied with what you already know is a must.
Excellent choice of topic, e3ashig. I’m like you, I love reading books and it seems that there is no limit nor a say in what amount will finally quench my thirst.
This brings me to think, too…
Why do people say “Ignorance is bliss.” Yet, at the same time, those same people believe in “Education is the light that will guide you in life.”
Irony never ceases to exist.
May 25th, 2005 at 9:39 am
can not say but,, nawwart & welcome back =)
May 25th, 2005 at 1:04 pm
G6ewa, I hesitate to accept your view that the prophet (PBUH) discouraged from asking question. The only question we are not allowed to ask is (Who created your God). It is true that for the inexperienced mind, non-stop interrogations can lead to blasphemy - but who can put a break on a rapid thought process?
adorie, thanks :)
May 26th, 2005 at 2:28 am
I apologise in advance for such a useless comment, nevertheless I am only trying to express my point of view.
I believe that ignorance is a bless more than it being a bliss, for if we come to compare their definitions we can realise how one letter can alter the whole concept resulting in misconception (atleast for me). Being blessed is to be protected from and is an act to invest someone with well-being and peacefulness; it’s to invoke divine favor upon somebody or something. If ignorance is a bliss then it has the ability to bring extreme happiness and joy to somebody; which I believe is not true. When someone is unaware of a certain something due to lack of education/knowledge/curiousity/interest, he/she is protected from all these questions that keep haunting ones thoughts and causing dilemmas, as in e3ashig’s case where things get complex and more and more twisted, making life much less complicated (i.e. blessed). In other words, and according to what I think, Ignorance is not bliss; Ignorance is a bless.
May 26th, 2005 at 8:18 am
Actually, some questions were discouraged; such as judgement day, and the day of a person’s death. Well, not discouraged persay, but an answer was not given; and yes, the answer to Who created your God was the one question that was discouraged.
You’re right, no one can put a break on a rapid thought process. However, in response to your argument I say: The more you think the more experienced you become, therefore downsizing the chance of blasphemy.
Not contradicting myself here, just showing you the other side of the token.
Anyway, I’m reminded by this:
??? ???? ?? ???????: ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ? ?? ???? ????? ???????
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May 28th, 2005 at 12:06 am
Nice to see you back bro:)
I can hardly read your posts. It must be a fault in my PC. But I would like to comment on the depate that you and G6eiwa made.
The question ” who created God” should not realy be asked. because it is a wrong question and a wrong question will obviously lead to a wrong answer. Simply because you have put God on the rule that He made.
May 28th, 2005 at 12:09 am
Rayhan, try in explorer:
VIEW
TEXT SIZE
MEDIUM
May 28th, 2005 at 10:55 pm
thanks e3ashig,
In my eyes u r a genious ;)
January 30th, 2007 at 3:11 am
[…] Its nearly 2:00 and I am having a hard time sleeping eventhough I did not have enough rest today. In fact, I finished work at 7:00 and came home thinking I would just crash in bed but that failed to happen. This state of mind is all too familier. Emptiness in my thoughts, then questions pop out of no where. It was long ago that I was asking questions and got to a point where I decided to stop telling myself that this is really better and more comfortable. In the last few months however, the thirst for knowledge have come back again and I can no longer stop seeking answers. Some of the stuff I dont understand is part of the deep foundations of what makes me who I am and investigating that sends me in a state of unease, anxiety and fear. […]