Being right feels good. Being wrong doesn’t. Blindly following archaic ideologies was probably a favorable trait in order to preserve ones survival in the past. For example, if you lived in Europe during the Inquisition it would be prudent to adhere to the scripture, Exodus 22:18 “thou shalt not suffer a witch to live”.
If we were able to go back in time and interview Witch hunters what would they say about their actions ? How would they have justified what they were doing? By merely questioning their beliefs might the interviewer be lynched or burned alive as well?
To be certain means to believe that something gives a true and accurate representation of the Universe. Not just in the present, but always.
Growing up I could never understand how people could be so cocksure of themselves, their beliefs, and actions. Certainty in an ever changing world seems silly when there are bad ideas perpetually circulating. Throughout history humans were probably certain - in the sense that these were natural phenomena - that unicorns, fairies, magic, and countless Gods existed. In hindsight we can eschew these childish beliefs as ridiculous.
Our understanding of the universe has been increasing exponentially since we developed a method of written communication, mathematics, along with all branches of science - not all developed at the same time. Astrology was once considered a science until Astronomy stole the spotlight employing the scientific method in the place of dogmatism.
With the technology available in 1769 Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot created the first steam powered tricycle (considered the first automobile). By today’s standard’s this technology would provide us with little more than a historical snapshot into the past. In fact, if I were to use the same time machine I mentioned above to show Nicolas my computer, his only explanation might be aliens, god and/or magic.
There are some things that we humans do for no good reason, other than the act is considered to be polite. I recently discovered the reasoning behind saying “bless you” after somebody sneezes. In Europe during the middle ages it was thought that when a person sneezed their sole leaves their body, making them susceptible to demons. If someone said “god bless you” it blocked the evil spirits from entering, allowing time for the sole to return home safely.
Reflecting on blemishes in our history we can ask questions about our “modern” ideologies. We find ourselves floating through space on the same planet. The map has changed but the stars are all the same. Civilizations have come and gone, but here we are. We are still certain about things we cannot possibly be certain about using our current understanding of the Universe. Some are certain that gay marriage is intrinsically bad, others that their town / city / country is the best place to live. Some are even certain that their favorite sport happens to be the best, and anyone who does not share their opinion is stupid.
It seems that whenever current knowledge is employed to develop certainties, we tend to look back on our actions as if we should have known better. I would argue that every civilization in human history has looked at their own way of life as the most progressive, modern, and praiseworthy. This self deception still applies today. Yes, we have technology, the internet and computers, but the bad ideas are still around.
“Only two things are infinite, the Universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.”
- Albert Einstein
