Choices and Gates

This is a continuing discussion on the topic of morality and philosophy. To view the previous post in this discussion, click here. To go to the beginning of the series, click here.

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To understand the concepts of truth beyond the most superficial level requires something of an appreciation for subtlety. Not just a grasp on the notion of subtlety, but the ability and willingness to peer into it.

The very same poem that brings one person to tears can be unceremoniously dismissed as nonsense by someone else. Who can say then, whether there is value in the poem? Clearly, at least one person believes there is. The point here is that even a person who does not care for poetry limits himself if he unwilling to accept that poetry has value, even though he himself does not value it.

Few things are more startling or final than the haste with which a person who does not understand or appreciate a thing can dismiss it. That people do this is beyond common. Essentially, these decision points, the places where we make these choices, are gates that we either choose to pass through or ignore. They are the moments we either decide that we are satisfied with what we know, or admit that there may be worthwhile things that we do not.

At any point along the path of understanding, a person can easily decide that anything beyond the point where he stands is nonsense, and then simply step off of it. Indeed, one of the perils of this road is how easy it is to leave it. Often there is little penalty in doing so beyond the forfeiture of the rewards of the journey itself.

The choice to ignore opportunities of learning is a bold thing - it is a statement of sorts, that the knowledge we have is sufficient. We can do this, sometimes even unknowingly, for many reasons. If we think we know better than what we imagine to lie beyond a particular gate, then we do not believe we are turning away from a legitimate gate at all, we are only filtering out nonsense. If the gate offers evidence that disagrees with our beliefs, then we can dismiss it merely as a conflicting view. If we think we already know what lies beyond a gate, then we can even feel a rush of superiority in dismissing it.

The reasons can go on and on. Maybe a lifetime of privilege has led to a sense of entitlement, which has then led to the belief that all knowledge is to subject to the rule of authority. There is even the complication that sometimes these scenarios are valid (some of them, anyway). But, we must know that even in cases when they are, they are only valid as instances, not as overarching attitudes of living.

All of us have passed through gates. Some are behind us and others are ahead of us. Once we pass through them, we are then faced with questions of doubt and certainty. We must arrive at some assessment of what we have actually gained. Have we learned something or haven't we?

Absolute certainty is a product of a made-up mind, a conclusion reached at the end of thought. When we are certain of something, we believe we know it. What could seem more natural or correct than this? Learning is a big part of the journey of life. We accumulate experiences and knowledge, and our lives improve as a result.

But, there is a complication in this, and it happens to be the very kind of complication that can be easily brushed aside. It is a gate of the very type that I spoke about in the opening paragraphs of this post.

To be continued.