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We humans are most dangerous when we only know a little bit.
The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubt, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.
Charles Bukowski
Our desire to be right is not merely a flexing of arrogant ego. It is directly connected to our survival instincts. If we know a thing then we know whether or not it can harm us. An unknown is frightening because it could contain a danger we are not aware of and would thus be unable to avoid or prevent. If we turn out to be wrong about something it means we were also wrong about that sense of safety. We are no longer safe.
One would assume that the more we know, the more complete and comprehensive our knowledge, the greater our sense of confidence and safety would be. Seems a logical notion. The truth is, however, extensive and detailed knowledge of something generates less confidence than knowing very little about it.
The core reason for this, the more we know about something more we realize things are complex and varied and constantly evolving. The more things there are to know, the more layers and nuances there are to sort through the more difficult it is to feel a sense of blanket confidence and safety. Nuance and complexity means there are too many variables and possibilities to ever feel completely…