I can't be specific, but there are things that I now realize that have made me question my life's goal of attaining knowlege. I truely believed that knowlege is power and could only be positive, but now I realize that that is not true, and I can't unlearn all that I have learned. For many years, a near death experience made me want to live in the moment, and not worry so much about anything but the present, and those were really happy times. After growing out of that phase in my life I wanted to learn as much as I could and experience all that life had to teach me. Well I've done that for the last 8 years, and now I regret more than I can bear. All I have now is heart filled with sorrow. If ignorance is bliss, then should I wish I knew nothing at all? Or better, if ignorance is bliss, then what should intellecuals do?
2006-11-02 12:22:09 · 16 answers · asked by gunshow25 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The assumption that ignorance is bliss should first be tested. I personally don't take any aphorisms as truth and I do not agree that ignorance is bliss. Here's a simple example to know that this statement is not true. Would you rather know that this nation will be hit by another 9-11 incident that will happen in your home town? Of course. You'd get out of there or try to prevent it.
And because you experienced all life had to teach you doesn't really mean that those experiences you sought out were positive ones. Perhaps you sought hedonistic experiences that turned out to be unfulfilling or filled with sorrow? I am not saying that you actually did just that. What I am saying is, the complete experiences you think you had is not complete at all because they were directed by your own guidance. You need to take less risky behaviors as possible ways to grow and learn, such as reading books and experiencing pleasures that are not so risky and heart-breaking. Life is crazy if you ride it without first, a purpose, then goals for your life. You just can't go out there point blank and go at it. It would waste alot of time.
2006-11-02 12:32:20 · answer #1 · answered by summation 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What you say makes sense, I to seek knowledge, but there are some things that I don't wish to know, and in those things, ignorance is in fact bliss. If I knew that another 9-11 attack would take place in my home town and couldn't do anything about it, then I would not want to know that. Knowledge is a very scary thing. But without it I would be bored. I've thought about just giving it up and working towards the common ignorant person you see every day but I don't believe I would like it anymore then knowing. I don't know your situation fully though, so I'm really not even entirely sure of your question. I've never agreed that "ignorance is bliss" but I didn't understand it as much as I do now, there is a dreadful truth to it. Goodluck with your contemplation.
2006-11-02 20:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by Gabrielle 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your method- not knowing much once you begin this fruitless journey, is why you are now full of pain and sorrow .You have learned nothing - Except what never to repeat- really!
You must begin the journey of know thy self first, then you can venture and grasp what there is to know. You must put boundaries on what you shall do and what you will not do. Then you will know what knowledge is.
You hastily went for what ever when ever &you have not only not learned but your more ignorant than when you first began this venture my friend....
ignorance may be bliss, but when the bliss send you to become more ignorant, you must retrace and learn by smelling, tasting hearing, touching, loving and acknowledging all things and knowing there is something bigger than yourself and surcombing to that power with humbling yourself to it and respecting then student you can only begin to aquire any knowledge!
2006-11-02 21:45:17 · answer #3 · answered by wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance is bliss is not really a literal statement, but implies the freedom that comes from a spiritual understanding of life, therefore disarming the so-called knowledge of the worldly life of the power to suffocate peace, joy, hope, love, etc. One always needs spiritual understanding, and that is not ignorance. It is hard for a spiritual concept to be expressed by worldly means, because they are opposites.
2006-11-02 21:13:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now that you know the world look to a higher existence and the promise of a life not ending. Yes I am talking about Jesus. You have learned many experiences and now have more skills; knowledge of what is right, and what is wrong. Apparently God ahs allowed you to go on a discovery venture and it is now time for you to seek out the face of God. He created all that you have experienced and now he wants you to become a member of His Family and put theses experiences and skills to work for him.
(Ecc 7:20 ) For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
(1Pe 1:17) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
2006-11-02 21:21:42 · answer #5 · answered by Michael JENKINS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you can say "Ignorance is ALWAYS bliss".
It's not true, is it?
What should intellectuals do?
The more knowings, the more helpless?
I'd say find the source of knowledge.
Do you realize that any thing we learn, is actually just mare discovery of what's already being there?
As a human, we never will be able to create the original knowledge, and that's okay.
2006-11-02 20:56:09 · answer #6 · answered by wonderwoman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take a sabbatical. Go visit scenic and insprirational sites but DO NOT listen to news or anything dealing with current events. In short, drop out. This will put you behind the curve and before long you won't know or care what's happening. You will have achieved a state of ignorance and therefore, bliss.
2006-11-02 20:44:48 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For this I would refer you to "On the tree on the mountainside"(I'll cite it in my source)
To put it simply if you've spent 8 years gathering knowledge, why throw it down now, why give up on it? What do you stand to gain by giving up on it, and what do you stand to lose.
Ask yourself whether thats what you want, a life of ignorance, a life of not knowing and not worrying about anything
I know I couldn't live that way, I'm on my 4th year of trying to learn as much as possible, I don't regret it and I don't plan on regretting it, for me, its not about learning everything before i die and passing it on, but learning alot and enjoying it all while I'm still here.
2006-11-02 21:57:26 · answer #8 · answered by blaked882003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance is only bliss sometimes. LIke when your kid smokes a cigarette for the first time and pukes his guts. He tried it, he got sick, telling you would only upset you (or make you laugh) and it would probably be better that you were ignorant to the whole thing for his sake and yours.
Most of the time ignorance just causes problems and education is the great emancipator.
2006-11-02 21:44:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not so.
I do however, commend you for living in the moment & having such a great attitude about it, heaven knows we need more people who think the same, lol=P
Ignorance should only be ignored if it does you more harm than good, however having said that, how can one continue to live in denial?!
Seriously... don't let something so trivial discourage you, instead take it as a stepping stone to ascend to greater heights.
Have faith it'll get better=)
2006-11-02 21:05:11 · answer #10 · answered by ViRg() 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋