on certainty 286

286. What we believe depends on what we learn. We all believe it is impossible to get to the moon; but there might be people who believe that it is possible and that it sometimes happens. We say: these people do not know a lot that we know. And, let them never be so sure of their belief – they are wrong and we know it.

If we compare our system of knowledge with theirs then theirs is evidently the poorer one by far.

what we believe –

depends on what we learn –

and what we learn –

is open to question –

open to doubt –

is uncertain

no one is in a position to say –

‘we all believe …’

anyone who says such a thing –

is pretending support –

for their own view –

or is just plain ignorant

if you understand –

that all knowledge –

is uncertain –

then you will be tolerant –

of different beliefs –

different systems of knowledge –

different ways –

of seeing the world

© greg t. charlton. 2010.