Michelle Newcomb, Unassigned Readings #3

Michelle Newcomb

Religious Studies – Primal Religions

Unassigned Readings #3

Power of knowledge

A few weeks ago in class we were talking about knowledge and how it’s earned (the film with the labyrinth with the two monks). I was reading a book the other day (the Sphere) where it talks about knowledge and how its earned (or how it should be earned). Should we just inherit our knowledge? It increases productivity and progress, but is that the way it should be done?

One of the characters in this book answers with “Scientific power is a form of inherited wealth. Most kinds of power require a substantial sacrifice by whoever wants the power. There is an apprenticeship, a discipline lasting many years. Whatever kin of power you want… whatever it is you seek, you have to put in the time, the practice, the effort… and once you have attained it, it is yours power. It cant be given away: it is literally the result of your discipline. But scientific power is like inherited wealth: attained without discipline. You read what others have done and you take the next step. There is no mastery; there is no humility before nature. Because you stand on the shoulders of giants, you can accomplish something quickly.”

I know this goes in the same vein as the blog before this, discussing the negative effects of science but I think this can be taken in another direction. Like in the film, knowledge must be earned – you must first make it through the labyrinth, if you can master that – then you deserve the knowledge gained from the effort. This is like a safety valve for knowledge, not only can it not fall into the wrong hands but it also cannot be abused. It cannot be taken advantage of or manipulated because the bearer has proven himself to be a man deserving of the knowledge and will therefore not disrespect it and use it for ill purposes. This is a really interesting concept and can be applied in our own education. I think the idea of a liberal education is an extension of this philosophy - that our leaders and predecessors should be educated so thoroughly that they will not abuse their learning or manipulate their information.