My archives tell me that I began this blog on January 15th, 2005.
From that first day, I've kept the name Nothing Adds Up for it, and the Voltaire quote: "Doubt is uncomfortable, certainty is ridiculous." as its (and my) motto.
These reflected my lack of certainty on a host of topics, and it seemed to make more sense to be non-committal about everything than to actually take the time to investigate and clarify my stances on a number of things. It's a stance that has been very dear to me, and seemed in keeping with a student's instinct of questioning.
However, over time I've come to realize that questioning is merely the start of the journey. If I make the effort to seek answers, doubt can disperse. This isn't to suggest replacing doubt with dogma, and one should always be open to new evidence and arguments. Just as it is ridiculous to be certain without investigation however, it is equally ridiculous to remain doubtful in the face of evidence.
I don't know if it is possible to be absolutely certain about anything, but we must, and do accept thresholds beyond which we act without doubt. In western law, this is articulated as the Standard of Proof: we may not be absolutely certain someone committed a crime, but we can be certain enough to punish them, and even award them a sentence of death. Similarly, we may not have absolute certainty about the laws of mechanics, but we can be certain enough to construct machines, like planes and ships and cranes, the failure of which would kill millions.
We can reach certainty. This should be our goal. It is not inconsistent with the scientific method.
Therefore, and with a heavy heart given my attachment to N.A.U., I've decided to write under a different title. I'm planning on switching in a week, or whenever I like a title enough, whichever comes first.
I'm open to suggestions about a new title, so please leave me some in the comment section.
19 hours ago
6 comments:
The more I learn and the more I study history and philosophy, the more uncertain I get of the bird's eye view.
In the face of all this uncertainty and the relative merits of wildly differing social and political positions, I find myself becoming less and less authoritarian. This stance is also strengthened by my recent study of the theories of learning.
So given my experiences, I vote you keep the current title. But that's just my opinion.
I also wonder to what degree your desire to change the name is influenced by your impending nuptials, your desire to find middle-ground between your identity and experiences and those of your wife to be.
I also wonder to what degree your decision is affected by what I imagine is a very understandable desire in all men about to "settle down and raise a family" for certainty. I wonder how authoritarian and unbending your new path will make you.
We must be studying different things, because the more I study, the less uncertain I get...
I'm quite certain (there's that word again =P) that this has nothing to do with Marrium, and parenthood isn't on the horizon at all right now. If we were sat in the PDC, I'd tell you precisely how my thinking has developed, because there is a specific story in the background. One day...
One of these days, I'll have to articulate my thoughts on doubt and certainty further I suppose. But certainty doesn't have anything to do with authoritarianism in my book.
Certainty has everything to do with authoritarianism in my book. An uncertain man does not impose his world view on others.
I have been studying political philosophy - specially as it relates to education - and history.
Structures man has created over the ages are in constant need to change. The middle ground keeps shifting all the time and certain men (no pun intended) go about advocating one particular -ism as the end all and be all. Also, certain people - in the absence of doubts - adopt unmovable stances that are in binary opposition to the stances of other certain men. The ever shifting middle ground is almost always in between these two extremes but everyone is too busy solidifying their sense of identity in relation to the binary opposite to see shades of grey. Doubt is essential.
PS - I am reading a history of the middle east these days. It's amazing how screwed up both shiite and sunni leaderships have been over the years. And yet everyone is perfectly certain everyone is perfectly correct in believing whatever their elders have told them, because those elders are beyond reproach and invulnerable to the social, political and economic pressures of history. Oh, and most of them - in their authoritarian certainty - advocating putting reason aside almost completely
Ali, hello! Just realised that you had a blog. Doh! :-)
I don't know, don't think there's a general principle here..certainty in some things is good, I guess, but the desire for certainty in all aspects of life would mean what, exactly, for wonder, freedom, the joy of surprises, and the totally unscripted? Without the pull to the north, north of the future, I don't think we'd be half as creative.
Still prefer Iqbal's: 'even if the Divine reveals His Face I'll still choose "perhaps" and "maybe".' But no, I see your point as well.
Take care,
Khalid.
Sir! I'm going to have to start writing better if you're visiting my blog!
I think I'll write a clarifying post soon to explain my position in light of both what you and Ahmad have said. The short response is that I am not saying we should be certain about everything.
That's an interesting quote by Iqbal. Can you tell me where this is from? I'd like to look at the context a bit.
But for now, back to watching Pakistan/India =)
Don't worry, Ali, I won't embarrass you and visit here again! :-0
Just wanted to drop you a line in response to your comment.
Nope, don't know exactly where it's from. Will check. Think I came across it in a book called 'Tulip in the Desert'
I can't muster the strength to watch the 50-over matches..it's either 20/20 or test matches for me. But now I get it: after all these years of watching the team you crave certainty!
Are you in touch with Faisal by any chance?
Best wishes,
Khalid.
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