True Wisdom

“True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” ~ Socrates

Yes, as a teenager, I used to think that science, and especially physics, is telling us all about reality. That our knowledge about what reality is, its nature, is slowly, relentlessly increasing. That we now know vastly more than any other culture before us, or across the globe, and we can smile at their ignorance.

But now? I think we are all lost in a sea of total mystery. We do not know what we are, why we're here, what here even is. We have all just been cast adrift in an abyss of profound mystery. That is our lot, which we must confront and live with.

But this fact, this mystery, is not something to be downhearted about — indeed, quite the converse. The world as painted by physics, or by our modern western culture, is a profoundly bleak one. One that tells us the entire Universe, and our lives, are just happenstance. We're just here for the ride and very soon we will all simply cease to be. So, whilst we still exist, let's just make the most of it and make hay while the sun shines.

The fact we don't know everything, or indeed anything, about the most important questions leaves the door open to infinite possibilities. Possibilities that may intrigue and beguile those who recognise our complete ignorance.