Why do human beings find it necessary to try and label things we do not understand?

Question

Humans (at least modern day type) cannot even figure out a way to propel ourselves outside of our own solar system, yet, these scientists are trying to explain the principles, properties and laws of matter/elements and etc. in distant places? Why? Why can't people just say, "we don't know"? We don't even understand all the makings of our own planet and what surrounds us. I just want some theories of why some people find the need to explain the unexplainable? Maybe if these things were meant to be known, we would get a sign from the Heavens, or become enlightened. Yet, since all we do is segregrate and kill eachother, and have not learned how to live in peace with eachother, why should we have that enlightenment? Certainly, Humans in power would find a way to use it to control, or kill other humans.

Campbel...I'm sorry. I was (I should have) noted that my question stemmed from reading about "strange matter" in an astronomy book. Humans cannot explain what it is, only that an amount the size of a computer mouse is beleived to contain as much mass as half the Earth's land mass. Weird. I'm just saying, look what happened with nuclear power. Evidently, we humans cannot truly harness it properly because life-threatening and life-altering mishaps take place even when it's used as a form of energy. Then, what did humans do? They created WMD's out of this power. We can't be trusted with anthing. We find a way to destroy with every new "discovery" we make. What's next?

Answer 1

You have to say " You don't understand"

Scientist observe and announce the results. Some may be true, some may need refinement and some may be even false. Unless we do these things we will never progress and understand what is around us. Scientific community never says they know everything. They only try to understand everything.

Answer 2

We "pigeon hole" things as a means of classification. To delineate that which we know from that which we don't know. It also makes it easier for us to either debunk and ignore those things we consider too hard or too "left of field" to warrant further study. We also do this in order to come back to other things at a later date with whatever answer we happen to come up with, just to say "well, here's the answer to this question....".

The thing is......the more we know and discover, the less we actually do know about what it's all about. Because gaining more knowledge only opens up more avenues of learning......more possible answers, and even more questions.

It's all a part of the growing up process......enlightenment was never meant to be a "hand it to me on a platter" kind of thing. It comes with lots of hard work and no small amount of luck if you find it quickly. But no matter how long it takes, we all arrive at it in the end.

Answer 3

My Dear,
It is because of human nature of curiosity and want to be seen known.But I do not agree with you on the idea you said if a man is able to know the unknown the world become peaceful and people lead heavenly life.It is not true.And it is not the case.We could have been lived in peace by what we have.But the problem is we have chosen our own way than God.This is the source of all our trouble.

Answer 4

Because we're a curious species, and we love advancing to the next level :)

Remember 200 years ago, people scoffed at the idea that mankind would conquer the air, and be able to fly.

100 years ago, the idea that most people would be connected to the entire world via a massive "Internet" thingy would probably put you in the looney bin.

Answer 5

That is really a psychology question, not an astronomy and space question, isn't it? Anyway, it is just one of those things that people do. Like watching football and playing scrabble.

Answer 6

So we know what to call something. It sounds better than a whatchamacallit or thingamajig.