What are your views on this?
2006-09-22 17:55:30 · 17 answers · asked by lkraie 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
so this is a vernacular formulation of the basic dilemma as understood by the Judeo-Christian tradition. The quest for knowledge starts in the Garden of Eden and proceeds through the tradition in various forms; for example Faust's bargain with Mephistopheles. The association of knowledge and a fall of some kind is thus a fundamental theme. It is a challenge which is more urgent now than before since the technological capacities introduced by modern knowledge have such extreme possibilities. The quest for knowledge may be the fall of mankind; that's the challenge to human morality; tt is not a foregone conclusion, but challenges us to think on issues such as genetically modified organisms, stem cell research, nuclear power, computer technologies, global warming and so on. . . . the wrong decisions in any of these arenas can have final consequences for all of mankind.
2006-09-22 19:10:50 · answer #1 · answered by bambam 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The quest for knowledge is our only hope for salvation. It is the only thing that truly sustains civilization, keeping us from sliding into barbarism. It is what sets us above the rest of the animal kingdom.
In ancient times, life was brutal and short. Since then we've developed agriculture so we don't starve, medicine to conquer diseases, energy to light our nights and heat or cool our homes, eductional institutions to pass knowledge from one generation to the next, and perhaps most importantly we have the scientific method for the discovery, development, and verification of new knowledge.
The alternative to the quest for knowledge is to sink into ignorance and superstition. This happened in the Dark Ages, and we saw the results when both knowledge and reason fell from favor. Mankind nearly fell then. In some parts of the world where science and knowledge are regarded as evil by the religious authorities even today, we see peoples living miserable lives in oppression and poverty.
The quest for knowledge will be the salvation, not the fall, of man. The proof is in the pudding.
2006-09-23 02:21:14 · answer #2 · answered by R[̲̅ə̲̅٨̲̅٥̲̅٦̲̅]ution 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. The quest for nuclear arms will be the end of mankind. The quest for knowledge on terrorists will be the fall of mankind.
The quest for knowledge and information and intellegence is positive and would bring peace to the world today. It would improve the world, not destroy it.
2006-09-23 01:37:26 · answer #3 · answered by Adam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have thought often about this subject myself, since the parable of eating from the tree of knowledge spun out of control with an insatiable need for more and more knowledge that challenges the laws of nature itself.
However I think it is the 'type' of knowledge that we have tried accrue that makes us most dangerous.
If one follows the studies of all prophets from all walks of life one see's that when these prophets sojourned alone into a quiet place for introspective study, they reached an 'ascension', an Epiphany, a transformation into higher beings. In this state they realized that all is a part of all, that Love transcends all else.
In fact, I can see no other reasons for the world's existence 'at all', but that we were put here with an inner directive to elevate our consciousness from the pygmy self into the divine and that all our legends and prophets provide a guide tool towards this end.
2006-09-23 23:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by honorbright24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The end, not the fall. Without wisdom it must be. Woman's fall was seduction with the promise of God-like knowledge. Man walked out with her and thus bought into the consequest.
There is no fall to run to, no height to return to, no deeper depth to descend to. Only more darkness. Man was created a pure intuitive being, but is that no longer. For this, even your hamster suffers yet for a short time.
2006-09-27 13:14:36 · answer #5 · answered by Tommy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not the quest for knowledge but the pursuit of selfishness above anything else.
When Knowledge is used responsibly and shared it makes an equal fairer and sustainable society
2006-09-23 02:22:37 · answer #6 · answered by alfred jarry jnr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Man will search till eternity in the outer universe for the Knowledge which remains hidden with in his own self.When he searches inside his search is complete and he gains full knowledge and is satisfied. Such a person is known as "BRAHMA RISHI"The others will go on searching but will never find the final solution.
2006-09-23 04:41:06 · answer #7 · answered by Brahmanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not the quest but the blind acceptance of "knowlege"...
So long as we hunger for knowledge we will learn and grow. It is when we value knowledge over learning that we stagnate, and eventually fall backwards.
2006-09-23 01:15:25 · answer #8 · answered by a_man_could_stand 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only to a nihilist. To those who believe that knowledge is good will find that it will be uplifting and liberating, and the wisdom gained can clarify our view when it comes to the problems of society.
2006-09-23 03:08:05 · answer #9 · answered by Julian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as "fall" or " rise" of mankind, only evolution and transfermation.
2006-09-23 03:53:37 · answer #10 · answered by stvenryn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋