Nescience: Difference between revisions
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[[File:E M Lilien - The Vampire.jpg|[[E M Lilien]] – ''[[Vampire|The Vampire]]''|thumb|right]] | [[File:E M Lilien - The Vampire.jpg|[[E M Lilien]] – ''[[Vampire|The Vampire]]''|thumb|right]] | ||
'''Nescience''' is the | '''Nescience''' is the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]] of science presumes a want of [[Trust (social science)|trustworthy]] knowledge that is necessary for one to flourish. | ||
It is relevant to philosophical study and some religious traditions in which nescience is elective: the presumption that [[divine wisdom]] is able provide "better truth" than either [[orthodoxy]] or [[common sense]] or scientific consensus. There are also [[legal]] implications. | It is relevant to philosophical study and some religious traditions in which nescience is elective: the presumption that [[divine wisdom]] is able provide "better truth" than either [[orthodoxy]] or [[common sense]] or scientific consensus. There are also [[legal]] implications. | ||
The link between science and knowledge lies in [[belief]].<ref>[https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1008747309880 Springer nature:The nature of science and the role of knowledge and belief]</ref> In general knowledge refers to useful memories on which we depend because we | The link between science and knowledge lies in [[belief]].<ref>[https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1008747309880 Springer nature:The nature of science and the role of knowledge and belief]</ref> In general, knowledge refers to useful memories on which we depend because we experience success when deploying facts we believe to be true.<ref>[https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-well/201703/facts-truths-beliefs-opinions-and-alternative-facts Psychology today: Facts, Truths, Beliefs, Opinions, and "Alternative Facts"]</ref> The difficulty arises because "truth" is what we believe, and is liable to change as we learn, while "facts" are demonstrably stable. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
==The problem of truth== | ==The problem of truth== | ||
Humans are perhaps the most vulnerable infants as well as the most successful | Humans are perhaps the most vulnerable infants as well as the most successful species. Throughout human history, people have experienced numerous challenges that proved to be almost fatal.<ref> [https://pastrevisited.com/14-times-humanity-faced-the-brink-of-collapse-and-survived/ Past Revisited: 14 times humanity faced the brink of calamity and survived]</ref> | ||
Modern civilization exists because our ancestors not only survived many potentially lethal events, they also transmitted the strategic and tactical skills with which they were able to address and exploit the opportunities such disruptions caused.<ref> [https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/disruption-opportunity-or-threat Harvard Business School: Disruption: Opportunity or Threat?]</ref> | Modern civilization exists because our ancestors not only survived many potentially lethal events, they also transmitted the strategic and tactical skills with which they were able to address and exploit the opportunities such disruptions caused.<ref> [https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/disruption-opportunity-or-threat Harvard Business School: Disruption: Opportunity or Threat?]</ref> These survival stories are often embedded in myths and legends that are clearly [[allegorical]] rather than [[metaphorical]]. | ||
==The fear factor== | ==The fear factor== | ||
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==Legal implications== | ==Legal implications== | ||
Many | Many jurisdictions now demand [[mediation]] as a precondition of contentious court action. It is the responsibility of the [[advocate]]s of litigants to ensure clients are capable of understanding the implications of [[informed consent]], especially in cases concerning of people who are young or may have learning difficulties.<ref>[https://e-justice.europa.eu/topics/taking-legal-action/mediation/eu-rules-mediation_en European Union rules on mediation]</ref> | ||
==Risk and responsibility== | |||
There are several ways young people deal with risk which, if successful, may become habitual: | |||
* Hiding under the bedclothes can become habitual elective nescience (ignore the danger). | |||
* Their childish tactics are avoidance by either [[buck passing]] or [[mitigation]] often followed by surrender to paternal retribution, possibly leading to habitual [[moral desert]]. | |||
* The mature response to risk is to assume responsibility in an adult-to-adult style relationship of [[transactional analysis]]<ref>[https://standrewsconsulting.com/dealing-with-risk/avoid-mitigate-accept-transfer/ Avoid, Mitigate, Accept or Transfer?]</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 03:36, 1 October 2026
Nescience is the obverse of science presumes a want of trustworthy knowledge that is necessary for one to flourish.
It is relevant to philosophical study and some religious traditions in which nescience is elective: the presumption that divine wisdom is able provide "better truth" than either orthodoxy or common sense or scientific consensus. There are also legal implications.
The link between science and knowledge lies in belief.[1] In general, knowledge refers to useful memories on which we depend because we experience success when deploying facts we believe to be true.[2] The difficulty arises because "truth" is what we believe, and is liable to change as we learn, while "facts" are demonstrably stable.
Etymology
Nescience comes from the Latin ne (not) plus scienta (knowledge widely known to be certainly true).
But there is a second root: Science, the Latin scindere implying "to cut open" typical a specimen to investigate and gain knowledge beyond the visually obvious evidence.
The problem of truth
Humans are perhaps the most vulnerable infants as well as the most successful species. Throughout human history, people have experienced numerous challenges that proved to be almost fatal.[3]
Modern civilization exists because our ancestors not only survived many potentially lethal events, they also transmitted the strategic and tactical skills with which they were able to address and exploit the opportunities such disruptions caused.[4] These survival stories are often embedded in myths and legends that are clearly allegorical rather than metaphorical.
The fear factor
Nescience is associated with the avoidance of unpleasant emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, vulnerability. For example, witnessing an autopsy for the first time is notoriously difficult.[5]
Legal implications
Many jurisdictions now demand mediation as a precondition of contentious court action. It is the responsibility of the advocates of litigants to ensure clients are capable of understanding the implications of informed consent, especially in cases concerning of people who are young or may have learning difficulties.[6]
Risk and responsibility
There are several ways young people deal with risk which, if successful, may become habitual:
- Hiding under the bedclothes can become habitual elective nescience (ignore the danger).
- Their childish tactics are avoidance by either buck passing or mitigation often followed by surrender to paternal retribution, possibly leading to habitual moral desert.
- The mature response to risk is to assume responsibility in an adult-to-adult style relationship of transactional analysis[7]
References
- ↑ Springer nature:The nature of science and the role of knowledge and belief
- ↑ Psychology today: Facts, Truths, Beliefs, Opinions, and "Alternative Facts"
- ↑ Past Revisited: 14 times humanity faced the brink of calamity and survived
- ↑ Harvard Business School: Disruption: Opportunity or Threat?
- ↑ 10 steps to survive your first autopsy
- ↑ European Union rules on mediation
- ↑ Avoid, Mitigate, Accept or Transfer?