If ignorance is bliss, why does man pursue knowledge?
There are two ways to be perfectly happy: To know nothing and to know everything. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know nothing for very long.
(Note: I’m paraphrasing some saying that I heard a while ago… I don’t remember who originally coined it)
Because man is never truly happy. That’s why so much religion is about suffering. We are never complete unless we suffer.
So ingnorance is bliss - but you better only have it in moderation
what’s so damned penultimate about this?
[list=a][li]Cite for “ignorance is bliss”?[]penultimate -[/li]1 : next to the last <the penultimate chapter of a book>
2 : of or relating to a penult <a penultimate accent>[li]penult -[/li]: the next to the last member of a series; especially : the next to the last syllable of a word[]Merriam-Wbster OnLine[/list=a]
If ignorance is bliss, I know a few people that must feel downright orgasmic. This is the penultimate thing I have to say on the matter.
My ultimate answer to your question? 42.
I guess your original assumption must be wrong then.
It’s his next to last post.
Well, close… I’m not exactly cutting the mustard on these boards with intellects such as yourselves.
I consider this the second to last question I believe is unanswered. The ultimate is what the meaning of life is, but that’s a bit banal and I’m sure has been covered elsewhere here.
I suppose it would make me sound much smarter if I hadn’t put ‘penultimate’ there, but I was going more for melodrama than accuracy.
Because knowledge is power, to answer one cliche with another. Ignorance may be bliss, but it also makes for an excellent opportunity to exploit people. There may very well be those out there who attempt to gain as little knowledge as possible (many of whom I work with) and go happily about their lives. The “head in the sand” solution to dealing with all of life’s little problems. Just think how much “happier” life would be if the only things that registered on your radar were poopy diapers and spilt milk (which take very little knowledge to deal with). I hate being concerned about sweatshop labor, global warming, criminalization of drugs, etc, etc, but I feel as though I am left very little choice, because many people are getting rich by keeping people ignorant about these and many other topics (and harming others as a result).
Unfortunately, these blissful people are easily co-opted by those who seek to rule or have everything. All it takes is for one person to seek out a bit of knowledge and step on a few toes in order to ruin many people’s bliss. Power hungry corporations exploiting less-developed nations; corupt local governements syphoning funds into private ventures. Many people simply do not have the luxury of being ignorant, despite the best efforts of many to keep them that way. In order to fight fire with fire, the ignorant are forced to seek out knowledge in order to defend themselves from those who already have it.
Utopia is a world where we can be ignorant and blissfull without having to worry about somebody trying to get it all for themselves.
Abstract question=rambling answer