John Agnew said:
Just a quote from Thomas Jefferson that I thought I'd post for your contemplation:
"Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong."
Hi John:
As you might guess from my constitutional law postings I'm a big Jefferson fan. Also, I don't have any problem at all with this quote in the intended context.
This quote troubles me though, if examined in a broader more generalized context. What I am getting at is this:
In general, is ignorance preferable to error?
Maybe not. Ptolemy was wrong about the workings of the solar system of course, but at least he asked the pertinent questions. Later, other scientists corrected Ptolemy's error. In the case of solar system dynamics or any other scientific inquiry is ignorance better than error? I would say no. Those who make initial errors at least get the ball rolling. Those who elect ignorance don't move the field toward enlightenment at all.
I also think that this quote fails when applied to human sociology or the arts too. Doesn't the maxim
"It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" contradict this quote if the quote is applied to human dynamics?
Clyde, music is your vocation. Consider that I, a renowned opera ignoramus, might favor the simple works, maybe those directed to a child, over those works universally recognized by students of opera as the true masterworks of the field. Objectively, my opinion regarding the merits of various operas is in error. But still, isn't that preferable to ignorance of the art form altogether?
Anyway, I know that I am taking this quote out of context. Still, I think a truly great quote ought to be applicable more or less universally. In any case, thanks for posting this and helping me get my noodle revved up for the day.
Jim
