I DON'T KNOW – THE STEPPING STONE TO WISDOM

 

Albert Einstein said: "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I DON'T KNOW ?"

 

Have we ever thought that Knowing what we don't know is the biggest virtue? The astounding discoveries in Science, Medicine, Astronomy and others have been possible only because of the curious quest to venture into – WHAT WE DID NOT KNOW. It was – I DO NOT KNOW – which spurred a scientist to go after it and invent new things.

 

Somehow, coming up with quick, confident (not necessarily correct) answers is inculcated in most of us as a default. We behave as though any gaps in knowledge should be hidden at all costs. People find it hard to say – "I don't know".

 

"I know everything" syndrome (observed in abundance) may pseudo-inflate one's ego, but it is the biggest roadblock to widening mental horizons. This attitude also shuts all possible doors to self-improvement or self-development. Not only this – but it will also obliterate your chances of adapting & moving on. Self-adulation is a sure shot to the downward course in life. 

 

In the contemporary world of social media, the attitude of showing off (primarily fake) has assumed a dangerous proportion. We endeavour to impress everyone all the time! How can a place for "I don't know" exist in such a milieu? The consequences – short as well as long-term – are easy to understand. The worst part is the ease with which we can find wrong answers. We have no qualms at all!

 

 

A person who can dare to say I don't know will have ample chances to ask more questions to come up with a correct answer. More importantly, he will not be lying. 

 

The ability to admit ignorance is being transparent. Contrary to our shared belief, a frank admission of ignorance earns you more respect. I have had one such experience, which has taught me a great lesson. I was attending an international conference on Heart Diseases, listening to a speaker who was considered a world authority in his area of cardiology. His books were followed all over. After the lecture, he was asked a question by a delegate. Any answer from him would have been accepted. To my amazement, he said – "I don't know the answer. I would be glad to know the answer if it is known to anyone !! "He not only taught me the lesson of humility but showed me how to be truthful.

 

Knowledge is essential, but we can still have answers to some of the questions. Overestimating the importance of knowing all answers will blunt our curiosity to explore and be wiser with the proper knowledge.

 

Myths are, in essence, the result of this attitude. Once an opinion or a half-truth has been repeated a few times, we believe it to be true. So many times, it is witnessed that when we give an opinion confidently, those who trust us start accepting it as fact!

 

We face such myths day in and day out in our medical practice. It is often hard to convince patients about the scientific truth as they are so biased with tales floated around in media, e.g. Insulin is too toxic and will destroy my kidney !!

 

Here is a classic quote by Donald Rumsfeld that sums up everything: -"There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. These are the things we don't know that we don't know."

 

Saying I don't know it helps a leader to command respect – sounds strange? Let me explain – In a discussion on a strategy, if a leader shows his ignorance in some areas and asks for subordinates' opinions – colleagues' belief in the leader surmounts.

 

Three categories of people say, "I DON'T KNOW."

 

• Who KNOW what they DO NOT KNOW but are eager to be wiser by acquiring the missing knowledge?

• Who does NOT KNOW what they DO NOT KNOW. They are the unfortunate ones.

• Who knows? They DO NOT KNOW but don't care to know.

 

It needs no rocket science to understand which category everyone should belong to! Nothing can be said about the third category of people – this write-up is not for them.

 

Let me end with Shakespeare's insightful thought: "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool".

 

So, the next time we are asked something we have no clue about – dare to say, "I don't know".