You determine your truth.
“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but what he aspires to.” ~ Khalil Gibran
Have you heard? More investment risk may not bring more reward, breakfast isn’t necessarily the most important meal of the day, and safer football helmets may not be safer after all. Those beliefs may no longer be true, assuming they ever were.
Plato opined that belief is knowledge if it is true, and if the believer has justification for believing it is true—reasonable and plausible evidence. But is there ever enough evidence to create true knowledge, knowledge that is unquestionable? Probably not.
Nietzsche wrote:
“There are various eyes.
Even the Sphinx has eyes.
And as a result there are various truths,
and as a result there is no truth.”
So if the inexhaustible search for reasons doesn’t define knowledge, what does?
Louisa May Alcott wrote:
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty,
believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”
Perhaps our aspirations are what motivate our pursuit of knowledge, and that inner stirring informs our beliefs. So if you’re hoping to change your world, don’t start by seeking knowledge. It will only confuse and frustrate you. Start by aligning your values and aspirations, and then let knowledge help move you in that direction.
Stay passionate!