2007-01-26 23:33:46 · 12 answers · asked by Sam 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
whatever?? i may not have quoted it exactly but nevermind. what is the origin and the meaning
2007-01-26 23:40:52 · update #1
Ancient Greece 'ouk imae idenai, ah mae oido!' The more you know the more you know you do'nt now. Attributed to Socrates.
2007-01-28 01:35:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
It's "the more I learn, the less I know". I suspect that the earliest recorded version of this sentiment is Socrates' "Wisest is he that knows he does not know"; the point being that the more you find out about something, the more you realise how complicated it is and that therefore you somehow 'know' less.
It's said that that doing PhD research is a process of finding out 'more and more about less and less' for the same reasons: an expert in the field will usually find it difficult to give a 'straight' answer to a question directed at their expertise.
2007-01-26 23:46:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I do not know the origin, or the precision of your quote, but the general gist is: our brains have a fantastic capacity for learning and once we start to learn more, we want to ask more questions. For example, have you ever sat with a Dictionary or Encyclopedia on your lap and just browsed? I often do it. Then having read the definition of any word, I find myself cross-referencing words from the definition. Before I realize it, I have been reading for an hour or more!
Before any "smart Alec" says what a sad existence I must have, I would point out that I have a very broad mind and an active life.
2007-01-26 23:51:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
It means that those who have more knowlege have a better grasp of how little they actuly know. Take this example, right now I live in a small village in the country of Togo. The villagers know very little about the US but they frequently think they do and are quite arrogent about it (one man refused to belive that the US wasn't in Europe). I on the other hand know some about Togo but must confess that there is a massive amount of information I don't know nor will probably ever know about the people and the culture.
2007-01-27 00:28:37 · answer #4 · answered by the_mad_yovo 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I am working a site which carrys that same tune. The answer to just another of many questions. I have had to read and read anything from everywhere to get my answers. It is hard to explain, and I find myself speaking in riddles. Because it is something most can not understand.
Use this as an example- GOD is infinite. The more you know, the more you need to know, therefore- the less you know.
Start in the back- find books on ancient ideas and etc, then read everything you need to know that links. From there to now. Then figure out what you need to know!
2007-01-29 05:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by jarroljeppesen 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think it should be "The more u know the more there is to know". It has been there since very ancient times. Infact there is mention of this in many ancient Hindu scriptures. It means the knowledge is as vast as an ocean & what knowledge a human can aquire in his/her lifetime is just like a bucket of water. Hence however much u learn, theres still a lot more to know. It thus says human beings to be humble & have a constant quest for knowledge.
2007-01-27 01:11:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I am not sue of the orgin of this phrase, however taking a poke at what it means and then trying to explain it says it all.
I think what it is meaning is: When you were a kid, you thought you knew it all, but then after you grew older, you realized you didn't. Gee, what do I know.. I thought I had a good answer, but realize now that I know less than I thought.. heheheheh
2007-01-26 23:44:05 · answer #7 · answered by Karen H 1 · 4⤊ 2⤋
For the true origin of this phrase we need to go back to the auditions for West Side Story. At a problem stage in the casting, when considering who to get to sing the lines "I theeng I go back to San Juan" and then, who to respond with "I know a boat choo can get on!" someone said "Moreno, the lass I know...." and the rest is history............
It is, of course, quite meaningless, except to those in the know, you know?
2007-01-27 04:55:50 · answer #8 · answered by dumb bunny 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
It means exactally what it says. If you start researching one subject--it can take you in so many directions--then those directions take you even farther into other directions--and you realize how little you know.
Example: medical field. We have so many different special fields. Doctors do not know every field plus much about mechanics--electrical field--cooking--landscaping--and so many other areas of knowledge.
You just become aware of how little you really know
The more you know--you should realize just how lacking in other fields you might be and you cannot know every field.
2007-01-27 01:01:12 · answer #9 · answered by old_woman_84 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I don't know the origin!!
but it means that the more you find out about a subject, the more you realise how little you know about everything!!!
2007-01-27 01:23:54 · answer #10 · answered by kiku 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋